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 (45th Brigade, 15th (Scottish) Division).
On 23 August 1917, Albert Baldwin fell during the Battle of Passchendaele. On 20 August, the 45th Machine Gun Company moved towards positions at Frezenberg. There, they were to participate in an attack on Iberian Farm on 22 August and, if possible, on Beck House. The objective of the attack was to capture these positions. At 4:45 a.m., the assault began. The goal was to seize Iberian Farm and, if possible, Beck House. After capturing these positions, a coordinated attack on Borry Farm could be launched.
The attack was carried out by the 13th Battalion Royal Scots and the 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. The machine gun teams advanced from the trenches alongside the battalions. Around noon, the attack stalled near Potsdam, Vampir, and Borry Farms. For the machine gun sections of the 45th Company, Borry Farm was particularly difficult to overcome. The attack ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, and the battalions returned to their former frontline. At midnight, a renewed assault by the Cameron Highlanders also failed.
On 23 August, the battalions were ordered to consolidate and hold the frontline. Reserve machine gun teams were sent forward to replace wounded and fallen comrades. Throughout the day, they continued to endure heavy German artillery fire.
Albert Baldwin fell on 23 August at the age of 32. His body was found after the war near Low Farm and reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LI, Row F, Grave 12.
On 23 August 1917, Albert Baldwin fell during the Battle of Passchendaele. On 20 August, the 45th Machine Gun Company moved towards positions at Frezenberg. There, they were to participate in an attack on Iberian Farm on 22 August and, if possible, on Beck House. The objective of the attack was to capture these positions. At 4:45 a.m., the assault began. The goal was to seize Iberian Farm and, if possible, Beck House. After capturing these positions, a coordinated attack on Borry Farm could be launched.
The attack was carried out by the 13th Battalion Royal Scots and the 11th Battalion Argyll & Sutherland Highlanders. The machine gun teams advanced from the trenches alongside the battalions. Around noon, the attack stalled near Potsdam, Vampir, and Borry Farms. For the machine gun sections of the 45th Company, Borry Farm was particularly difficult to overcome. The attack ultimately failed to achieve its objectives, and the battalions returned to their former frontline. At midnight, a renewed assault by the Cameron Highlanders also failed.
On 23 August, the battalions were ordered to consolidate and hold the frontline. Reserve machine gun teams were sent forward to replace wounded and fallen comrades. Throughout the day, they continued to endure heavy German artillery fire.
Albert Baldwin fell on 23 August at the age of 32. His body was found after the war near Low Farm and reburied at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Plot LI, Row F, Grave 12.
Sources 3
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Brigade Machine Gun Company. (The National Archives, KEW (TNA), WO 95/1947/3). https://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C14303 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 3
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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 |
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Namenlijst (In Flanders Fields Museum) https://namenlijst.org/publicsearch/#/person/_id=9d2bd8fa-74c4-4931-bc09-0b7e8b5b624d |