Rowland James Baker
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Rowland James Baker was born in 1892 in Leicester and was the son of John Baker an engineers' fitter of 49 Albert Street, Newark. His father was born in 1857 at Willenhall, Staffordshire, he had a further son Peter born 1894 also in Leicester. In the 1911 census the family are living at 49 Albert Street, Newark and are shown as John 54 yrs a fitters engineer , he is living with his wife Elizabeth 50 yrs and his two children, Rowland James 19 yrs a brewers labourer and Peter 17 yrs a warehouse assistant. On the census his father stated he has been married 12 yrs to his current wife and they have had no children.
Private Rowland James Baker enlisted on 12th March 1912 at Newark. He gave his age as 19 yrs and 2 months and that his occupation was storekeeper. At the outbreak of war he was embodied on 5th August 1914. He served with the 8th battalion Sherwood Foresters but saw no service overseas. James died in Blue Hospital, Luton, Bedfordshire, on 28th September 1914 and is buried in Newark-upon-Trent Cemetery, Nottinghamshire. Article in the Newark Herald 10th October 1914: 'After marching from Derby to Harpenden. A blister on his heel turned to blood poisoning. He died in Luton hospital, Monday night 28th September 1914. Age 22.'
CWGC headstone, personal inscription: 'Peace after pain' 'The first soldier to be buried in Newark Cemetery was James Rowland Baker, a Drummer with the 8th Bn, Sherwood Foresters (Notts & Derby Regt.) He died at home on 28th September 1914, Aged 22.'
