Private Thomas James Baker
- Rank
- Private
- Service number
- 623
- Unit
- 44 Battalion
- Cause of death
- Killed in Action
- Place of death
- Armentieres, France
- Date of death
- 27 January 1917
- Age
- 21
- Plaque number
- M176A
- Co-located plaques
- M176 - LCPL Fred Hantke
- Dedicated by
- Family on 16 August 2014
- More information
Biography presented during plaque dedication:
Private Thomas James Baker of 44 Battalion was born at South Fremantle in 1895. He was one of three boys and four girls born to Thomas and Hannah Baker of Hamilton Hill.
He went to school at White Gum Valley state school and, after leaving, worked as a casing skinner.
Prior to his enlistment in January 1916, he served with 'B' company of the citizen military forces 86 Infantry Battalion.
After training at Blackboy Hill Military Camp, he was posted to 'C' Company of 44 Battalion.
They sailed from Fremantle in June 1916 aboard HMAT Suevic and disembarked at Plymouth in late July.
After further training in England, Thomas left Southampton in November for France.
In an excerpt from Neville Browning's 'The Westralian Battalion' he recorded:
'the artillery commenced a barrage at 3 pm and in retaliation the enemy bombarded the front line until 9 pm and Privates T. J. Baker and J. P. Hughes were killed.’
Private Thomas James Baker, service number 623 of C company 44 Battalion, was killed in action at Armentieres on 27 January 1917. He was 21 years of age.