James Baker
In 1911 he was a cardboard cutter.
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
James Baker was born on 17th June 1891 at Nottingham, he was baptised on 1st April 1892 at St Mary's Church, Nottingham, he was the son of Ellen Harriet Baker née Mitchell and the late John William Baker a shoe maker and the brother of Cornelius (killed in action 4/10/1918), Ethel and Arthur harold Baker.
His father John William was born in 1872 at Nottingham, he died in 1908 aged 36 yrs, his mother Ellen Harritt Mitchell was born in 1871 at Ipswich, they were married in 1890 at Nottingham, they had 7 children sadly 3 were to die in infancy or early childhood.
In the 1911 census the family lived at 21 Haywood Street, Sneinton Road, Sneinton, Nottingham. Ellen Harriett Baker 39 yrs is a widow, she is living with her children, James 19 yrs a cardboard box maker, Cornelius 17 yrs a traveller, Ethel 10 yrs and Arthur Harold 7 years old Nottingham.
James married Clarice Allsopp born 30th June 1890, they were married on 5th June 1915 at Nottingham, Clarice brought a child to the marriage Lily Hetty Allsopp born 18th December 1908.they lived at 31 Ricmond Ave, Wilford Road, Nottingham.
Commencing 12th November 1917 his widow was awarded a pension of 18 shillings and 9 pence a week.
Private James Baker enlisted at Nottingham, he served with the 8th battalion South Staffordshire Regiment, he was killed in action on 23rd April 1917, having no known grave his name is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.
Nottingham Evening Post In Memoriam (abridged) 23/4/1918:
'In affectionate remembrance of Lance Corpl James Baker, the loving husband of Clarice (née Allsopp) killed in action April 23rd 1917. - From his loving wife and little Hetty'
'Baker. In remembrance of James Baker, killed in action April 23rd 1917. - Ever in our thoughts, brother Neil (in France) , May and baby Ethel.'
His brother Private Cornelius Baker, initially served with the service number 26164 in the East Yorkshire Regiment. He was serving with the 46th Battalion Machine Gun Corps, when he was killed in action on 4th October 1918. He is buried in Bellicourt British Cemetery,(grave ref VI.C.8)
Photo of James Baker
Arras Memorial courtesy of the cwgc