BAKER Sydney Harcourt

Sidney Harcourt Baker was the sixth of ten children born to Joseph Albert Baker and Eliza Werry. He was 4 days shy of his 18th birthday when he enlisted for the Great War on 25 January 1916 at Brisbane, Queensland, Australia, stating on his Attestation Paper he was 18 years and 1 month. His occupation was a labourer at the time. He was described as 5 feet 8 inches (172.7cm) tall. He weighed 136 pounds (61.7kg) and had a dark complexion with brown eyes and dark brown hair. Sidney noted his religion as Methodist. A notation on his records state he required dental attention. Sidney was a single man and listed his father who was living at Pomona, Queensland at the time, as his next of kin.

After spending almost a year training in Australia, Private Sidney H. Baker of 26 Battalion boarded the HMAT “Demosthenes” at Sydney, New South Wales, Australia to serve his King and country. He arrived at Plymouth, England on 03 March 1917 and marched in to 7 Tng. Bn. (Training Battalion). On 26 April 1917, Sidney was charged with being A.W.L. (Absent Without Leave) from 0000hrs on 23 April 1917 to 2130hrs on 24 April 1917. He was awarded 1 day C.C. (confined to camp) and forfeited a total of 3 days’ pay (15/-). A month later, he was charged with once again being A.W.L., this time from 6.30am on 11 May 1917 to 6.15pm on 23 May 1917. Sidney was awarded 14 days C.C. and forfeited at total of 41 days’ pay (£10.5.0). On 04 June 1917, he was charged with (1) A.W.L. from 6.30am on 01 June 1917 until 9pm on 01 June 1917, (2) Neglect to obey orders in that he at Wylye did travel on a train without a ticket, (3) Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military Discipline in that he at Wylye was improperly dressed, (4) Conduct to the prejudice of good order and Military Discipline in that he at Wylye gave a false name to the M.P. (Military Police). Sidney was awarded 7 days C.C. and a total of 5 days forfeiture of pay.

He proceeded overseas to France on 14 June 1917 and arrived at 2 A.D.B.D. (Aust. Divisional Base Depot) at Havre the next day. In early July, Sidney proceeded to join his unit, taking on strength of 26 Battalion on 03 July. He was admitted to 29 C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station) on 16 July with pyrexia of unknown origin. A couple of weeks later, he was transferred and admitted to 8 Gen. Hosp. (General Hospital) at Rouen and admitted to 2 Con. Dep. (Convalescent Depot) on 01 August 1917. The following week, Sidney was transferred to 11 Con. Dep. with bronchiolitis catarrh. After a month of treatment, Sidney was discharged to duty and proceeded to join his unit. He rejoined his battalion in the field on 11 September 1917.

On 04 October 1917, Sidney was wounded in action when he suffered a gunshot wound to his left arm in Belgium. Transferred by A.T. (Ambulance Train), he was taken to Camiers, France before boarding H.S. “Newhaven” for England on 08 October. The following day, Sidney was admitted to 1 Sthn. Gen. Hosp. (Southern General Hospital) and to 3 Con. Dep. at Hurdcott at the end of October. In mid-November, he was given a classification of B.1.A.3. (restricted duties). On 12 December 1917, Sidney was charged with being A.W.L. from 7am on 06 December 1917 till noon on 10 December 1917. He was awarded a total of 11 days forfeiture of pay.

Sidney was court martialled on 26 March 1918 at Fovant, England with being A.W.L. from midnight on 19 February 1918 until he was apprehended in London, England at 8.30pm on 13 March 1918. He pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 54 days in detention. He had also forfeiture 88 days of pay. On 03 April 1918, Sidney was admitted to Lewes Detention Barracks. He was discharged from L.D.B. on 29 April 1918, and the sentence remitted from 08 May 1918 when he proceeded to France to rejoin his battalion. Sidney rejoined them on 15 May. On 10 June 1918, Sidney was wounded in action for the second time, when he suffered a gunshot wound to his left hand. He was admitted to 61 C.C.S. before being transferred and admitted to 2 A.G.H. (Aust. General Hospital). Sidney was discharged to duty on 15 July 1918 and proceeded to join his unit toward the end of July. He rejoined his battalion on 30 July 1918 only to be wounded in action for the third time, on 08 August when he suffered a gunshot wound to his right wrist, damaging both the radius and ulna. Sidney was evacuated to England for treatment.

He was admitted to Whipps War Hospital on 01 September 1918 and transferred to 3 Aux. Hosp. (Auxiliary Hospital) at Dartford on 07 October 1918, when Sidney once again went A.W.L. On 09 October 1918, he was charged with being A.W.L. from 2000hrs on 07 October 1918 until 2000hrs on 08 October 1918. He was awarded a total forfeiture of 2 days’ pay. Still at 3 Aux. Hosp., Sidney was charged on 17 October 1918, with being A.W.L. from 2000hrs on 15 October 1918 to 1000hrs on 16 October 1918. He was awarded a forfeiture of 6 days’ pay. On 27 October 1918, Sidney was charged with (1) being A.W.L. from 2000hrs on 26 October 1918 until 0130hrs on 27 October 1918, and (2) Breaking into hospital. He forfeited another 5 days pay. He was discharged to 2 Con. Dep. at Weymouth at the end of October.

Sidney was charged on 06 December 1918 at London, with being A.W.L. from 0001hrs on 16 November 1918 to 0600hrs on 30 November 1918, when he was apprehended. He was awarded a forfeiture of 27 days’ pay. With a fractured radius, Sidney boarded the H.T. “Burma” on 14 December 1918 at England for his return to Australia. Arriving at Australia on 29 January 1919, he underwent treatment for his damaged wrist and was discharged from the A.I.F. medically unfit on 19 November 1920.

• Belgium
• Western Front

Pomona State School Roll of Honor, Pomona State School, Station Street, Pomona;

Shire of Noosa Roll of Honor, Shire Council Chambers, Pelican Street, Tewantin.

Federal Honour Roll, whereabouts unknown

Skyring Creek District Roll of Honour (Kybong - Pomona), whereabouts unknown