honor role

Baker, Alfred John Hallet

* 6279 Cpl 28th Bn.

Born at North Fremantle, Cof E. Enlisted 6 March 1916 age 27, farmer. Nok wife, Ethel Margaret Jane Forbes Baker of Battle St, Mosman Park. His parents were Alfred and Sarah Baker. He embarked at Fremantle per A34 Persic on 29 December 1916 and saw service in England, France and Belgium. Suffered a fractured skull during action in Belgium on 28 September 1917 and died of wounds the following day. Buried at Lyssenthoek Military Cemetery 3 kilometres SW of Poperinghe; plot 25 Row B grave 6. Service medals BWM, and VM. His widow moved to Coolup WA and received a war widow’s pension of 40 shillings a fortnight ($4.00), their son Clarence received 20 shillings a fortnight and their daughter, Margaret Leonora Baker, 15 shillings. Alfred’s personal effects arriving at Coolup mid 1918 consisted of: 1 Commonwealth Bank receipt for 10 shillings, 2 notebooks, 1 religious book, 1 leather wallet and notebook, photos, press cuttings, metal identity disc, letters, green identity disc, 1 comb, 1 military certificate and a disc, 1 metal wrist watch and strap, gold rings. The following letter sent by Ethel is dated June 8 1918. No reply was found in Arthur’s service records. ‘To the Officer in Charge, Base Records, Dear Sir, I am returning receipt form for the articles which were sent to me, belonging to my late husband. I am very grateful to have received these things. Do you know how my husband met his death? I have never had a line from anyone about him. I don’t know if he was conscious after he was wounded or if he died soon after he was hurt. I would like to know if his grave is marked and where it is. I hope you will be able to let me have some information. Yours faithfully, Ethel M.J.F. Baker.’

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