No. RMA/6544, Gunner, Tom BAKER
Aged 39
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Thomas Baker was born on 4th April 1878 (RM Records), (Newmarket Q2-1878 3B:570), son of Walter and Sarah Mary BAKER (née SMITH).
1881 census...Aged 3, he was at Queens Street, Newmarket with his father Walter BAKER [40] a plumber, born Barrow; his mother Sarah M [37] born Swaffham, Cambs and sister Alice [13] and twin sister Ellen [3] both born in Newmarket. Apparently his father died in 1887 and his mother in 1888. 1891 census...Aged 13, an errand boy, he was at Queens Street, Newmarket with his grandmother Elizabeth SMITH [77] and his brothers Walter [19] (printer), and Harry [14] (outfitters errand boy) and his twin sister Nellie. Walter and Harry were born in Newmarket. 1901 census...Aged 22, single, he was on HMS Royal Sovereign in Grand Harbour, Valetta, Malta. He married Louisa Elizabeth BAKER [20-11-1872] on 17th March 1910, later of Rose Cottage, Higham. 1911 census...Aged 33, married, a gunner in the Royal Marine Artillery, he was alone at 9 Henderson Road, Eastney, Portsouth. His wife was back in Higham with her parents, George and Elizabeth BAKER, at 64 Upper Green, Higham. His widow's address on the pension card is Rose Cottage, Higham. She is apparently buried beside him in Higham Churchyard, having died in 1932 in Higham. Her memorial cross is very similar to Tom's which seems to be a replacement as it does not comply with the description when it was originally erected and appears to be very much newer than his wife's. |
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He enlisted in Cambridge on 3rd February 1897 and re- engaged on 25th September 1908, occupation Labourer, Church of England.He was 5 feet 7.5 inches (171.5 cm) tall, with light hair and blue eyes. Next of kin was his brother Walter of Grimsby Cottage, Newmarket and then 69 Stanley Terrace, Cheveley Road, Newmarket, before being replaced by his wife at Rose Cottage, Higham. Amongst the ships he served on were HMS Repulse, HMS Sovereign, HMS Crescent, HMS Powerful, HMS Terrible and HMS Drake before joining HMS Superb on 31st December 1913. He was aboard her for the Battle of Jutland. Jutland was unscathed in that battle and that was her last active service. He is actually recorded under"deaths at sea". There is an entry "Killed or died by means other than disease, accident or enemy action". In fact he died of peritonitis following injury aboard HMS Superb, the pension card saying it was an "accidental injury whilst on duty". Two paragraphs in the Bury Free Press of 9th February 1918:- HIGHAM - LONG SERVICE AND GOOD CONDUCT The Admiralty has presented the widow of the late Gunner T.Baker, R.M.A. with the deceased's long service and good conduct medal, the late Gunner T.Baker having completed 20 years service in the Royal Navy at the time of his death. MEMORIAL STONE A white Sicilian marble cross and anchor has been erected in Higham Churchyard to the late Gunner Tom Bake, Royal Marine Artillery,bearing the inscription:"In memory of Gunner Tom Baker, R.M.A.,died March 22nd, 1917, aged 39 years. Erected as a tribute of respect by Captain, Officers, and men of H.M.S. Superb". The work was executed by Mr.F.H.Goddard,Bury St.Edmunds
She was built in 1909 at a cost of £1.75 million, and carried ten 12" guns in twin turrets
click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
