Trafford

Born at Rostherne during the June quarter 1882 in the Altrincham R.D. -
ref: 8a/215, the son of Peter & Frances Annie Baker (nee Johnson).

1891 Census - Rostherne Village.  Son - aged: 8 - Scholar - born:
Rostherne.  Head of household - Peter Baker - Married - aged: 44 - occ:
Draining Bailiff - born: Smallwood, Cheshire.  Also - Frances Anne Baker -
Wife - aged: 34 - born: Small wood, Cheshire.  Plus - 6 siblings.

1901 Census - Rostherne Village.   Son - aged: 18 - occ: Assistant
Watchmaker - born: Rostherne.  Head of household - Peter Baker - Married -
aged: 54 - occ: Estate Drainer (Foreman) - born: Smallwood, Cheshire.  
Also - Frances Anne Baker - Wife - aged: 44 - born: Small wood, Cheshire. 
Plus - 8 siblings.

His mother - Frances Ann Baker, died in 1903 and his father - Peter Baker,
died in 1907.

1911 Census - 47 Islington Street, Altrincham.  Boarder - Unmarried - aged:
28 - occ: Watchmaker & Repairer - born: Rostherne.  Head of household was a
67 year old Widow - born: Hyde, Cheshire.

Enlisted at Altrincham on the 11th December 1915 and placed into Reserve
Class B category No. 4425 - 5th Bn Cheshire Rgt.

WO363 - Mobilised at Chester on the 11th March 1916 and posted to the %th
Bn Cheshire Rgt.  Residing 26 Grove Lane, Timperley - Watchmaker - aged: 33
years 8 months.    5 feet 7 inches in height - chest 36 inces expanded with
3 inch range of expansion.   Drafted to France on the 17th November 1916
and sailed from Southampton on the 18th, landing at Rouen.  Posted to the
9th Bn Cheshire Rgt on the 2nd December 1916.

Suffering from I.C.T. (Inflammation of Connective Tissue) 28/02/1917 - back
to duty on 10/03/1917.  Suffering from Osteritis (Osteitis ??) in right
foot on 21/03/1917 - back to unit on 16/04/1917.  On the 21st October 1917,
whilst in the field, he was found to have Phthisis (Tuberculosis of the
lungs) and sent to a C.C.S. (Casualty Clearing Station).   Recorded as
Broncitis, he was sent down to No. 6 General Hospital, Rouen on the 24th
October 1917.   Repatriated on the H.S. Carisbrooke Castle on the 11th
November 1917.    Admitted to the 3rd Northern General Hospital, Sheffield
on the 13th November 1917.  Discharged as "No longer fit for service" on
the 25th December 1917.

His next of kin was his brother, Horace Baker of Northwich.

CWGC Headstone.  For some reason, he is not listed on St. Mary's P.C. WW1
Memorial?  His parents were both dead by the time the memorial was being
made, so perhaps there was no-one to submit his name?  He has now been
included in their Roll of Honour Book.

He was awarded the two basic war medals - the BWM & the VM.  The medals
were returned to the War Office.    Presumably there was no-one around to
accept them.  Perhaps this is why he is not listed on St. Mary's War
Memorial Rostherne, the Altrincham Roll of Honour and the Altrincham Town
War Memorial - there was no-one around to submit his name for inclusion,
only his brother out at Northwich.  However, he is now included in St.
Mary's P.C., Rostherne new Roll of Honour Book.