Frederick Reuben Baldwin
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
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Frederick Reuben Baldwin was born in 1887 and was the son of Reuben a game keeper and, Julia Baldwin née Stevens of 41 Manvers Street Netherfield Nottingham. He had a brother Samuel and was the husband of Mrs Reuben Baldwin of 40 Station Street Carlton Nottingham. In 1911 the family are living at 2 Windsor Ave, Carlton and are shown as Reuben 60 yrs an invalid, he is living with his wife Julia 59 yrs and his married son Samuel Baldwin and his family.
Frederick Reuben Baldwin enlisted for the second time on 1 January 1909 for a term of 7 years having previously served with 2nd Battalion Sherwood Foresters and purchased his discharge. He was listed as Wesleyan. He served at home from 1/1/1909 until 6/10/1909. On 7/10/1909 he was posted to India with the 1st battalion. On the outbreak of war in 1914, the battalion returned to the UK. They arrived in October and sailed for France and the BEF on 3/11/1914. On 12 March 1915 the battalion were fighting in the Battle of Neuve Chapelle and at 5 am, the enemy launched an advance in overwhelming numbers. The battalion after inflicting heavy losses on the enemy were forced back to the support trench. The company bomber Private Rivers kept up a constant stream of bombs (grenades) against the enemy which caused them to retire. By 7 am the battalion had recovered the original trench with the help once again of Private Rivers, who was awarded the battalions first Victoria Cross. Sergeant Baldwin and Private Rivers were amongst a large number of men killed during the action and both men are commemorated on the Le Touret Memorial, France. John Morse
He was appointed L/Cpl on 17/10/1913 and full Corporal at Hursley on 7/10/1914. From the Beeston Gazette and Echo April 24th 1915 : Sergt. Baldwin was attached to the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters. He was only 28 years of age, and was born in Hampshire, the family coming to live at Carlton about seven years ago. Sergt.Baldwin was well-known in the district, having worked a coal business up to the time of enlisting. He was first drafted to Kinsale in Ireland, and whilst there won his cross-guns for firing and star for judging distances. He came home on furlough after being six months in Ireland, and was next sent out to the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters in India. While out in India he went in for flag-signalling, and was promoted to lance-corporal and made a flag-signalling instructor. In October last he arrived in England from India, and spent his furlough at Carlton. On returning to his regiment he was promoted to full corporal, and left for France in November. At the front he did good work in the trenches, which was recognised by his superiors when he was promoted to be acting-sergeant, but the end came on March 12th, when a promising career was cut short by a German shell. It might be mentioned that Sergt. Baldwin’s father was for some years a game-keeper in the employ of Earl Manvers at Cotgrave Wolds.
