BAKER John Joseph

John Joseph Baker was born on 5 November 1891 in Clermont, Queensland.

In 1913 John was shown as a Labourer at Bathampton, Queensland.

War History

John (known as Jack) was described as being 25 years old, single, a stockman, 5 feet 10 inches tall, brown hair, brown eyes, sallow complexion, weight - 11st 4 lbs, chest - 36½ 39", and of the Presbyterian faith. He gave his parents, Rowenna and William Baker, of Bath Creek, via Clermont, Queensland as his next of kin.

He enlisted at Emerald, Queensland on 3 November 1916.

His unit embarked from Sydney per "Ayrshire" on 24 January 1917. He disembarked at Devonport, Plymouth, UK on 12 April 1917 and was marched in to 4th Training Battalion from Australia, Codford, Wiltshire.

13/5/1917: Sick to Group Hospital, Codford, with Influenza

19/5/1917: Discharged from Hospital and Marched In to 4th Training Battalion, Codford

9/7/1917: Proceeded overseas to France via Sothampton, from 4th Training Battalion, Codford

21/7/1917 - 28/7/1917: Crime - out of bounds without a pass. Loss of 2 days pay, Commandant, Havre

27/7/1917: Taken on Strength of 15th Battalion Australian Infantry Forces frm 24h Reinforcements to 15th Battalion

9/9/1917: To Hospital sick

29/11/1917: Rejoined Battalion from Hospital, France

4/7/1918: Wounded

5/7/1918: Admitted to Field Hospital from Unit, wounded

14/7/1917: Invalided to UK from France, Gun Shot Wound, Right Thigh

15/7/1918: Admitted Cambridge Hospital, Gun Shot Wound, Right Thigh

23/8/1918: Transferred to No 3 Auxilliary Hospital, Dartford

31/8/1918: Discharged from Hospital and granted furlough until 14/9/1918

14/9/1918: Marched In to No 1 Command Depot, Sutton Veny, Wiltshire

2/1/1919: OFFENCE - A.W.L. from 31/12/1918 - 1/1/1919 AWARD - 1 days FP No 2. Total Forfeit, 2 days pay John left England for return to Australia per HT "Orsova" on 8 January 1919. He disembarked at Melbourne for Brisbane on 20 February 1919. He received a Medical Discharge, at Brisbane on 5 April 1919.

Post Service History:

John became a farmer at Beerburrum, Queensland. He married Isabella Ward and they had two sons Jack and William (known as Bill. Both are deceased.

Information received 24/10/16 from June Bell (Granddaughter): John (known as Jack) Baker fathered 2 sons with my Grand Mother, Isabella Ward. She and my Grand Father, Charles Ward, had one daughter Isabella Coulson (nee Ward). Both sons, Jack Ward and William (known as Bill) Ward, are both deceased.