Pte
Albert Baldwin
Information about birth
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Date of birth: 05/02/1885 |
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Place of birth: Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland, England, United Kingdom |
General information
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Last known residence: Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland, England, United Kingdom |
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Profession: Gardener |
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Religion: Church of England |
Army information
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Country: England, United Kingdom |
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Force: British Expeditionary Force |
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Rank: Private |
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Service number: 34415 |
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Enlistment date: 06/05/1916 |
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Enlistment place: Grantham. Lincolnshire, England, United Kingdom |
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Units: — Machine Gun Corps, 45th Coy. (Last known unit) |
Information about death
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Date of death: 23/08/1917 |
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Place of death: Low Farm, Belgium |
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Cause of death: Killed in action (K.I.A.) |
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Age: 32 |
Cemetery
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Tyne Cot Cemetery Plot: LI Row: F Grave: 12 |
Distinctions and medals 2
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British War Medal Medal |
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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
Albert Baldwin was born on 5 February 1885 in Burton-in-Kendal, Westmorland, United Kingdom. He was the son of John and Margaret Baldwin. Before the First World War, he worked as a gardener. On 6 May 1916, he enlisted in the British Army and was assigned to the 45th Company, Machine Gun Corps.
In August 1917, Baldwin’s company was located in the Ypres region to participate in the Battle of Passchendaele as part of the 15th Division. On 22 August, they were positioned on the front line near Frezenberg. At 4:45 a.m., the attack began. The assault was carried out by the 13th Battalion Royal Scots and the 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. The machine gun teams advanced from their trenches alongside the mentioned. The attack stalled around midday near Potsdam, Vampir, and Borry Farms. For the machine gun sections of the 45th Company, Borry Farm proved particularly challenging. It was ultimately decided to withdraw and establish a defensive line from Beck House to Railway Dump. In the evening, the British troops were subjected to a bombardment with gas shells.
On 23 August, the men were tasked with holding the front line. Reserve teams were sent forward to replace wounded and fallen machinegun teams. Throughout the day, they faced intense German artillery fire.
Albert Baldwin was killed on 23 August at the age of 32. After the war, his body was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LI, Row F, Grave 12.
In August 1917, Baldwin’s company was located in the Ypres region to participate in the Battle of Passchendaele as part of the 15th Division. On 22 August, they were positioned on the front line near Frezenberg. At 4:45 a.m., the attack began. The assault was carried out by the 13th Battalion Royal Scots and the 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. The machine gun teams advanced from their trenches alongside the mentioned. The attack stalled around midday near Potsdam, Vampir, and Borry Farms. For the machine gun sections of the 45th Company, Borry Farm proved particularly challenging. It was ultimately decided to withdraw and establish a defensive line from Beck House to Railway Dump. In the evening, the British troops were subjected to a bombardment with gas shells.
On 23 August, the men were tasked with holding the front line. Reserve teams were sent forward to replace wounded and fallen machinegun teams. Throughout the day, they faced intense German artillery fire.
Albert Baldwin was killed on 23 August at the age of 32. After the war, his body was reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LI, Row F, Grave 12.
Sources 3
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Brigade Machine Gun Company war diary (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1947/3). http://nationalarchives.gov.uk Sources used |
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British Army WWI Service Records, 1914-1920, WO 363. http://Ancestry.com Sources used |
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Census Returns of England and Wales, 1891 (The National Archives, Kew (TNA), RG12). https://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ Sources used |
More information 2
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Commonwealth War Graves Commission Database https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/461804 |
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Lives of the First World War (Imperial War Museum) https://livesofthefirstworldwar.iwm.org.uk/lifestory/153411 |