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Capt Arthur de Bells Adam (MC)
1885 - 1916


CPL David Wallace Crawford
1887 - 1916


Lce-Corpl John Joseph Nickle
1894 - 1916


Pte 17911 Morton Neill
1897 - 1916


Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft
1883 - 1918
Lieut Edward Stanley Ashcroft

Serjeant 48046 Arthur Rawlinson Baker


  • Age: 22
  • From: Toxteth Liverpool
  • Regiment: 2/8 LANCS FUSIL
  • Died on Friday 8th February 1918
  • Commemorated at: Tyne Cot Cemetery
    Panel Ref: XXXIX.H.24
Arthur Rawlinson Baker was born on 08th October 1895 at 25 Cockburn Street Toxteth Park to Liverpool born clerk James Gibson Baker and his Runcorn born wife Rachel  (nee Rawlinson) who married at St. Bride's Church Liverpool on 19 August 1887. They had 4 sons Frank Rawlinson Baker born 1888, Sidney Rawlinson Baker born 1890, Arthur Rawlinson Baker born 1895 and Thomas Rawlinson Baker born 1898. Arthur was baptised on the 08th January 1896 at St Cleopas Church Toxteth Park. 
 
The 1901 Census shows 6 year old scholar, Arthur, still at 25 Cockburn Street with his parents and three siblings. His father James, is a 40byearcold bookkeeper in a shipping office, whilst his mother is 41 years of age. Arthur's siblings are shown as; Frank R. aged 12, Sidney R. 10 and Thomas R. 3.
 
By 1911 the Census shows Arthur as 15 year old schoolboy living with his parents and three siblings at 13 Broughton Road, Seacombe, Wirral. His father, now 50, is a bookkeeper for Liverpool corporation, his mother is 51. His brothers are listed as; Frank R. 22 and a clerk with Liverpool corporation, Sidney R. 20 and an apprentice general fitter. Thomas R. Is 13 and like Arthur is still at school.
 
In 1914 whilst aged 18 he enlists at St George's Hall, Liverpool into the 17th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment (Pals) as Private 16072.
He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 07th November 1915.
  
He was promoted Sergeant and subsequently transferred to 2/8th Battalion of the Lancashire Fusiliers as Sergeant 48046. 
 
Arthur was killed in action on 08th February 1918 at Broodseinde and now rests at Tyne Cot Cemetery, Belgium where his headstone bears the epitaph:

"FOR COUNTRY AND PROSPERITY".

 

Tyne Cot Cemetery is located in an area which was known as the Ypres Salient where Commonwealth, French, Belgian and German forces fought almost continuously throughout the First World War.

In 1917, British forces launched the Third Battle of Ypres, which raged from July to November. Forces from the UK, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and South Africa fought to push the Germans off the low ridges that dominate the area. On 4 October 1917, during the phase known as the Battle of Passchendaele, the 3rd Australian Division captured a group of German Bunkers on the ridge below the village of Passchendaele.

One of these bunkers was unusually large and was used as an advanced dressing station after its capture. From 6 October 1917 to the end of March 1918, 343 graves were made, on two sides of it, by the 50th (Northumbrian) and 33rd Divisions, and by two Canadian units. The cemetery was in German hands again from 13 April to 28 September, when it was finally recaptured, with Passchendaele, by the Belgian Army.

Tyne Cot Cemetery was greatly enlarged after the Armistice when remains were brought in from the battlefields of Passchendaele and Langemarck, and from a few small burial grounds. 

His army pay of £11:6s:7d was sent to his father James on 06th May 1918 and a War Gratuity of £19 was also sent to his father on 17th November 1919.
 
His three brothers also served and each survived the War: 

Sgt 1694 Frank Rawlinson Baker Lancashire Hussars
                                                                           
Pte 691 Sidney Rawlinson Baker Machine Gun Corps
                                                                                 
Pte 29065 Thomas Rawlinson Baker Lancashire Hussars

Killed On This Day.

(108 Years this day)
Wednesday 29th March 1916.
Pte 17262 Herbert Edward Ankers
21 years old

(106 Years this day)
Friday 29th March 1918.
Pte 300239 John William Dunn
22 years old

(106 Years this day)
Friday 29th March 1918.
Pte 94251 William Fitton
19 years old

(106 Years this day)
Friday 29th March 1918.
L/Cpl 23131 George William Ollerenshaw
23 years old

(106 Years this day)
Friday 29th March 1918.
Lance Corporal 37652 Leigh Ward
21 years old