Nov 13, 1887
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Born in Aldeburgh, Suffolk, England to
Eli and Laura (nee Cable) Baker
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Nov 22, 1913
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Married to Margaret May Evans in
Woodroffe, Ontario
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Feb 24, 1916
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Attested into the 154th
Battalion CEF in Ottawa, Ontario
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Number 633575
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Next of kin given as Mrs. May Baker,
wife, Woodroffe, Ontario
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Previous occupation given as Labourer
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Previous military experience given as
2 years in the 72nd Highlanders and the Governor
General’s Foot Guard for 3 years
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Religion given as Church of England
The battalion
trained in the Barriefield Camp, Kingston, Ontario
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Oct 25, 1916
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Embarked the SS Mauretania in Halifax,
Nova Scotia
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Oct 31, 1916
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Disembarked in Liverpool, England and
the battalion proceeded to Bramshott to continue training
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Jan 31, 1917
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Transferred to the newly formed 6th
Reserve Battalion in East Sandling.
Shortly after, the battalion moved to Seaford
to train reinforcements for the front
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Apr 21, 1917
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Transferred to the 21st
Battalion
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Apr 22, 1917
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Arrived at the CBD (Canadian Base
Depot) in the Rouelles Camp, Havre, France and TOS (Taken On Strength)
the 21st Battalion
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May 21, 1917
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After leaving the base depot, Private
Baker finally joined the 21st Battalion as part
of a draft of 149 reinforcements in the support trench near Thelus,
France and was posted to “C” Company
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Jul 4, 1917
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On July 3rd,
the 21st Battalion moved into billets in the
town of Bouvigny-Boyeffles and began training for the attack on Hill 70. During his off time in the
billets, many of the men carved their names on walls in the town. Private Baker carved his
name on July 4, 1917 on a wall on Rue Constant Mahee near his billet. Thanks to Patrice
Machin’s ongoing research, we have a photo of his name on
that wall
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Aug 15, 1917
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During the fierce fighting at Hill 70
near Lens, France, Private Baker received shrapnel wounds to his back
and neck. His left
femur had also been fractured. He
was evacuated to the No. 4 CFA (Canadian Field Ambulance) for first aid
before being transported to the No. 23 CCS (Casualty Clearing Station)
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Aug 16, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 22 General
Hospital in Camiers, France
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Aug 20, 1917
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Invalided to England aboard the
Hospital Ship Princess Elizabeth
On arrival in
England, he was admitted to the Cambridge Military Hospital in Cambridge
Transferred to
the EORD (Eastern Ontario Regimental Depot) for pay purposes while in
hospital
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Sep 5, 1917
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X-Rays show small pieces of shrapnel
and loose bone fragments present in his lower back
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Sep 14, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Bearwood, Wokingham
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Sep 26, 1917
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Transferred to the No. 1 Reading War
Hospital where additional surgery was performed to drain the infected
wound
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Nov 3, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Nov 8, 1917
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Transferred to the Manor, County of
London, War Hospital in Epsom
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Nov 11, 1917
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital in Epsom
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Jan 4, 1918
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Transferred to the Canadian
Convalescent Hospital Woodcote Park, Epsom
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Mar 8, 1918
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Attached to the 3rd
CCD (Canadian Command Depot) for physical training and exercise
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May 30, 1918
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Medical exam notes that his back is
still weak and painful when bending or walking, as well as pain in his
groin. Further
treatment is required
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Jun 7, 1918
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Ceased to be attached to the command
depot and transferred to the CAMC (Canadian Army Medical Corps) Depot
in Shorncliffe
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Jun 13, 1918
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Transferred to the Military
Convalescent Hospital in Epsom for light duty
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Jun 18, 1919
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Transferred to the Canadian Army
Medical Corps Casualty Company in Witley
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Jun 29, 1919
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Transferred to “M”
Wing in Witley pending return to Canada
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Jul 12, 1919
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Embarked the SS Royal George in
Liverpool
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Jul 20, 1919
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Disembarked in Halifax, Nova Scotia
and proceeded to Ottawa, Ontario
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Jul 23, 1919
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Discharged from the CEF in Ottawa,
Ontario
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Rank on discharge Private
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War Service Badge Class
“A” issued number 382151
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Proposed residence on discharge
Woodroffe, Ontario
Following his
discharge, the British War Medal and Victory Medals were sent to him at
New Orchard Ave., Ottawa, Ontario
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Oct 12, 1968
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Albert Victor Baker died in hospital
in Ottawa and was buried in the Saint George’s Cemetery,
Fitzroy, Ontario
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