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Belgium, Bilston, Express & Star, France, General Post Office, John Thompson Ltd, Joseph Baker, Lichfield, Smith Street, South Staffordshire Regiment
Express & Star 8 Dec 1914
An Express & Star article on 8 December 1914 reported the death of Private Joseph Baker, “Another Bilston Victim of the War”. He was 25, so was born around 1888. His parents lived at 5 Smith Street. Baker married Edith Barnsley in Lichfield in 1913, and they had a young daughter, Sarah, born the same year.
According to Andrew Thornton’s South Staffords at War, he enlisted with the 2nd Battalion of the South Staffordshire Regiment at the end of 1907 and was serving at Lichfield having nearly completed his service when war was declared and he was drafted to France. Before joining the army, he had worked at John Thompson’s boiler works, “and by his respectful bearing gained many friends.” He had secured a job with the General Post Office in preparation for his discharge after seven years’ service.
The Commonwealth War Graves Commission confirms these details – he was killed on 27 October 1914. His service number was 8170, and his next of kin was Edith Baker of 90 Sandford Street, Lichfield. He is commemorated at the Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial in Belgium. He also appears on the High Town Ward roll of honour
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