Thomas Baker (bef. 1882 - 1916)

Born before 9 Aug 1882 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, United Kingdom

Husband of Alice Sarah (Pearce) Baker — married 1910 in Barry, Glamorgan, Wales, United Kingdom

Died 2 Oct 1916 after age 34 in Salonika, Greece

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Biography

Private Thomas Baker served in the British Army in World War I
Service started:
Unit(s): 23rd Welsh Regiment
Service ended: 2 October 1916

Private Thomas Baker Died in Military Service during WW I.

This profile is part of the Barry, Glamorgan One Place Study.

Thomas Baker in 1882 was born in Wiveliscombe, Somerset to Martin Langdon Baker and Mary Woolcott. ^[1] He was baptised on 9th August 1882 in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England. ^[2]

In 1891, Thomas Baker was 8 years old living at Cordings Farm, Whitefield, Wiveliscombe, Wellington. He was living with his parents Martin and Mary Baker and 4 siblings; Elizabeth, Eliza, Emma and Mary. He is the second youngest and declared a scholar. ^[3]

Martin Baker Head Married M 45 Agricultural Labourer Somersetshire

Mary Baker Wife Married F 49 Laundress Somersetshire

Elizabeth Baker Daughter F 13 Scholar Somersetshire

Eliza Baker Daughter F 10 Scholar Somersetshire

Emma Baker Daughter F 10 Scholar Somersetshire

Thomas Baker Son M 8 Scholar Somersetshire

Mary Baker Daughter F 6 Scholar Somersetshire

In 1901, Thomas had moved to Barry. I assume to find work at the newly created Barry docks. He was living as boarder with Cornelius and Elizabeth Brewer, and their daughter and another boarder John Besley. They were all from Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England. Occupation not fully completed but states worked - maybe a locomotive coaler and was meant to be a ditto?^[4]

Cornelius Brewer Head Married M 34 Locomotive coaler Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England

Elizabeth Brewer Wife Married F 30 Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England

Selina Brewer Daughter Single F 7 Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England

John Besley Boarder Single M 16 Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England

Thomas Baker Boarder Single M 18 Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England

Thomas Baker married Alice Sarah Pearce in 1910 in Barry, Glamorgan, Wale. Their daughter was Barbara Baker ^[5]

In 1911, Thomas Baker was living at 10 Lewis Street, Barry with his wife Alice Baker (nee Pearce). He is also living with LN Davis who is a boarder. Both Thomas Baker and L N Davis are declared as locomotive fireman. ^[6]

Thomas Baker Head Married M 28 Locomotive Fireman Wevelescombe, Somersetshire

Alice Baker Wife Married F 25

L N Davies Boarder Single M 26 Locomotive Fireman Wyesham, Monmouthshire

Thomas joined World War 1 and was assigned to 23rd Bn. Welsh Regiment. He passed away on 2 October 1916. He is commemorated at Lahana Military Cemetery, Greece, III, A. 31. ^[7]

Research Notes

Can see Thomas enlisted in Barry but unable to see exact date.

The diary for the battalion is not digitalized - only available at the national archives. Therefore need to find another resource which informs what was going on.

What exact birth date?

Where exactly was he married?

There is a will available from probate search.

Sources

1. ↑ Birth Registration: "England & Wales Births 1837-2006"
   Volume: 5C; Page: 320
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 27 December 2022)
   Thomas Baker birth registered Jul-Aug-Sep 1882 in Wellington (Somerset), mother's maiden name Woolcott.
2. ↑ Baptism: "Somerset Baptism Index"
   Archive: Somerset Archives; Reference: D/P/WIV 2/1/18; Page: 84
   FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 27 December 2022)
   Thomas Baker baptism on 9 Aug 1882, son of Martin Langdon Baker & Mary, in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England.
3. ↑ 1891 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1891"
   citing The National Archives of the UK Class: RG12; Piece/Folio: 1869/ 52; Page: 12; Line: 13
   FamilySearch Record: WPWX-JZM (accessed 21 April 2024)
   FamilySearch Image: 3Q9M-CSQQ-R9RN-8
   Thomas Baker (8) son, Scholar, in household of Martin Baker (45) in Wiveliscombe, Somerset, England, United Kingdom. Born in Somersetshire, England.
4. ↑ 1901 Census: "1901 England, Wales & Scotland Census"
   Reference: RG13; Piece number: 4994; Folio: 152; Page: 7; Schedule: 41
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 27 December 2022)
   Thomas Baker (18), single boarder, in household of Cornelius Brewer (34) at 43, Bell Street, Barry in Cardiff registration district in Wales. Born in England.
5. ↑ Marriage Registration: "England & Wales Marriages 1837-2005"
   Volume: 11A; Page: 440
   FindMyPast Image - FindMyPast Transcription (accessed 27 December 2022)
   Thomas Baker marriage was registered Apr-May-Jun 1910 in Cardiff.
6. ↑ 1911 Census: "England and Wales Census, 1911"
   citing PRO RG 14, The National Archives of the UK, Kew, Surrey
   FamilySearch Record: XW6G-311 (accessed 21 April 2024)
   Thomas Baker (28), married, Locomotive Fireman, head of household in Barry in Cardiff registration district in Glamorgan, Wales. Born in Wevelescombe, Somersetshire.
7. ↑ Memorial: "Commonwealth War Graves Commission"
   Lahana Military Cemetery, Greece. (Plot: III. A. 31)
   Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record (accessed 19 December 2022)
   Memorial page for Thomas Baker. Service number: 41710; Rank: Private; Died: 2 October 1916; Age: 34.
   Regiment & Unit/Ship: 23rd Bn., Welsh Regiment (United Kingdom); Additional Info: Son of Martin L. and Mary Baker, of Wiveliscombe, Somerset; husband of Mrs. Baker, of 4, Vale St., Barry, Glam.

See also:

• Memorial: Find a Grave (no image)
  Find A Grave: Memorial #21481489 (accessed 11 January 2024)
  Memorial page for Private Thomas Baker (unknown-2 Oct 1916), citing Lahana Military Cemetery, Lachanas, Regional unit of Thessaloniki, Central Macedonia, Greece (plot: III. A. 31.); Maintained by: Find a Grave.