Pte
Francis Charles Baker

Informatie over geboorte

Geboortedatum:
06/09/1896
Geboorteplaats:
Kara, Ohura, Manawatu-Wanganui, Nieuw-Zeeland

Algemene Informatie

Beroep:
Telegraphist

Informatie legerdienst

Land:
Nieuw-Zeeland
Strijdmacht:
New Zealand Expeditionary Force
Rang:
Private
Service nummer:
44246
Dienstneming datum:
27/11/1916
Dienstneming plaats:
Wanganui, Manawatu-Wanganui, Nieuw-Zeeland
Eenheden:
 —  New Zealand Rifle Brigade, 3rd Bn.  (Laatst gekende eenheid)

Informatie over overlijden

Datum van overlijden:
08/12/1917
Plaats van overlijden:
Polderhoek, Belgiƫ
Doodsoorzaak:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Leeftijd:
21

Begraafplaats

Polygon Wood Cemetery
Plot: Onbekend
Rij: G
Graf: 14

Onderscheidingen en medailles 2

British War Medal
Medaille
Victory Medal
Medaille

Points of interest 3

#1 Geboorteplaats
#2 Dienstneming plaats
#3 Plaats van overlijden (bij benadering)

Mijn verhaal

Private Francis Charles Baker, a 21-year old former telegraph cadet, served as a rifleman in the New Zealand Rifle Brigade 3rd Battalion, part of the 3rd New Zealand (Rifle) Brigade, of the New Zealand Division. On the 1st of December 1917, The Brigade relieved the 4th Brigade in the Becelaere Sector. The 1st Battalion relieved the 3rd Otago Battalion on the right, the 4th Battalion took over from 3rd Canterbury on the left, the 3rd Battalion consolidated in a new support position in Dead Mule Gully, behind Polygonveld, and the 2nd Battalion at Halfway House and Railway Wood, about a mile north-west of Hooge. The Brigade Headquarters moved up to Butte. The Brigade was now well settled in the Ypres Salient.

On the 3rd of December 1917, the 2nd Brigade carried out an attack on the Polderhoek Chateau position that posed a constant menace to the flank posts of the 3rd Brigade. The 2nd and 3rd Battalions of the 3rd Brigade prepared for the operation, earning the special commendation of the Divisional Commander. Under shell-fire, 650 men from the Units carried 1,300 six-inch Newton bombs over a distance of nearly three miles. Although not all objectives were met, the front line was slightly advanced. On the night of the 9th/10th December, the Brigade was relieved by the 2nd Brigade and became Brigade in support, with one Battalion, the 3rd, in the front line.

Rifleman Francis Charles Baker was killed in action on the 8th of December 1917. He fell during the attack in the Polderhoek Chateau area. He is remembered at Polygon Wood Cemetery.

Bestanden 1

Bronnen 7

"The Official History of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade (The Earl of Liverpool's Own)", Austin w.S., Wellington, Watkins, 1924, pg. 255-256
Gebruikte bronnen
Archway Archives
http://www.archway.archives.govt.nz/
Gebruikte bronnen
Auckland Cenotaph
https://www.aucklandmuseum.com/war-memorial/online-cenotaph/record/C612?w=World+War+I%2c+1914-1918&n=baker&cem=Polygon+Wood+Cemetery%2c+Zonnebeke%2c+West-Vlaanderen%2c+Belgium&from=%2Fwar-memorial%2Fonline-cenotaph%2Fsearch&ordinal=0
Gebruikte bronnen
Australian War Memorial
https://www.awm.gov.au/
Gebruikte bronnen
CWGC
https://www.cwgc.org/find/find-war-dead/results?firstName=Francis%2BCharles&lastName=Baker&serviceNumber=44246
Gebruikte bronnen
NZEF-project
http://nzef.adfa.edu.au/search
Gebruikte bronnen
The long,long Trail
https://www.longlongtrail.co.uk/army
Gebruikte bronnen