Pte
Rupert Harrie Baker
Information about birth
|
Year of birth: 1898 |
|
Place of birth: Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia |
General information
|
Last known residence: 38, Todman Avenue, Kensington, New South Wales, Australia |
|
Religion: Presbyterian |
Army information
|
Country: Australia |
|
Force: Australian Imperial Force |
|
Rank: Private |
|
Service number: 6048 |
|
Enlistment date: 14/08/1916 |
|
Enlistment place: Moore Park, Sydney, South Wales, Australia |
|
Units: — Australian Infantry, 22nd Bn. (Victoria) (Last known unit) |
Information about death
|
Date of death: 18/09/1917 |
|
Place of death: Westhoek Ridge, Belgium |
|
Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
|
Age: 19 |
Cemetery
|
Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: XLIX Row: F Grave: 7 |
Distinctions and medals 2
|
British War Medal Medal |
|
Victory Medal Medal |
Points of interest 4
| #1 | Place of birth | ||
| #2 | Last known residence | ||
| #3 | Enlistment place | ||
| #4 | Place of death (approximate) |
My story
Rupert Harrie Baker was born in 1898 in Bathurst, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Harry Rupert and Hannah Baker. Before enlisting in the Australian army, Rupert worked as a small goods trader. On 14 August 1916, he enlisted and was assigned to C Company, 22nd Battalion, First Australian Imperial Force.
On 16 September 1917, the 22nd Battalion was sent from Dominion Camp to the front line at Westhoek Ridge. Once at the front, they relieved the 1/17th (County of London) Battalion (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) and the 1/19th (County of London) Battalion (St Pancras). Their task was to remain in the front line for 48 hours and carry out patrols. The patrols aimed to gather information about the exact German positions. During these two days, the Australian lines were heavily bombarded. On the night of 18 to 19 September, they were relieved by the 19th and 25th Battalion, First Australian Imperial Force.
The 48 hours in the front line took a heavy toll on the Australians: 21 killed and 49 wounded. One of the casualties was Rupert Harrie Baker. He was struck by a shell during one of the bombardments. According to eyewitnesses, he was a popular young man. His remains were buried near the front line. A sergeant from the company said a few prayers during the burial, and a cross was placed at his temporary resting place. His grave was later destroyed by shellfire. He was 19 when he was killed in action. After the war, he was eventually found and reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot XLIX, row F, grave 7.
On 16 September 1917, the 22nd Battalion was sent from Dominion Camp to the front line at Westhoek Ridge. Once at the front, they relieved the 1/17th (County of London) Battalion (Poplar and Stepney Rifles) and the 1/19th (County of London) Battalion (St Pancras). Their task was to remain in the front line for 48 hours and carry out patrols. The patrols aimed to gather information about the exact German positions. During these two days, the Australian lines were heavily bombarded. On the night of 18 to 19 September, they were relieved by the 19th and 25th Battalion, First Australian Imperial Force.
The 48 hours in the front line took a heavy toll on the Australians: 21 killed and 49 wounded. One of the casualties was Rupert Harrie Baker. He was struck by a shell during one of the bombardments. According to eyewitnesses, he was a popular young man. His remains were buried near the front line. A sergeant from the company said a few prayers during the burial, and a cross was placed at his temporary resting place. His grave was later destroyed by shellfire. He was 19 when he was killed in action. After the war, he was eventually found and reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, plot XLIX, row F, grave 7.
Sources 3
|
22nd Australian Infantry Battalion, (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), AWM4 23/39/25). https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/C1343350 Sources used |
|
Australian Red Cross Wounded and Missing Enquiry Bureau (Australian War Memorial, Campbell (AWM), 1DLR/0428). https://www.awm.gov.au/ Sources used |
|
First Australian Imperial Force Personnel Dossiers, 1914-1920, (National Archives of Australia, Canberra (NAA), B2455, BAKER R H). https://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/SearchNRetrieve/Interface/SearchScreens/NameSearch.aspx Sources used |
More information 4
|
Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461802 |
|
Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/7333761 |
|
The AIF Project (UNSW Canberra) https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/showPerson?pid=11573 |
|
Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=d5e208a1-c8d6-47c7-abf8-5acb65eef2d2 |