Walter Baker was born on 11 December 1896, the youngest of the five children of Walter Baker (b. circa 1858) and Martha Baker née Hornreeve (b. circa 1859). His birth was registered in the 1st quarter of 1897 in the Marylebone registration district. On 4 April 1897 he was baptised at St Luke's Church, Marylebone, where the baptismal register shows that the family were living at 42 Molyneux Street, Marylebone and that his father was a postman.
In the 1901 census he is shown as living in 3 rooms at 42 Molyneux Street, Marylebone, with his parents and his four sisters: Sylvia Baker (b. circa 1883), Minnie Elizabeth Baker (1886-1976), Florence Baker (b. circa 1889) and Marie Edith Baker (b. circa 1894). His father continued to be listed as a postman.
The 1911 census return form completed by his father shows him as a 14-year-old schoolboy living in a seven roomed property at 42 Molyneux Street, Edgware Road, Marylebone, with his parents, his four sisters and three lodgers. His father described himself as a Post Office official.
In 1915 he enlisted as a Rifleman in the 6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (City of London Rifles), service number 4819 and entered France on 4 June 1916. He was killed in action, aged 19 years, on 15 September 1916 whilst serving in the 1st/6th Battalion of his regiment and as he has no known grave he is commemorated on Pier and Face 9 D of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, Thiepval, Picardy, France.
His army effects totalling eight shillings and eleven pence were sent to his father on 29 December 1916 and on 23 September 1919 his father was sent his £4-0s-0d war gratuity. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal. He is shown as 'Baker W. 6th.City.Ldn' on the Quebec Chapel WW1 war memorial at the Church of The Annunciation, Bryanston Street, Marylebone. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, and on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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