Introduction of me and my ancestor

[Zoelittle88]

Hi, I'm Zoe

My great-great Grandfather was C.S.M James Baker, he first enlisted in 1890 ages 18 and was posted to 3rd Manchester Regiment, he was also posted to the 2nd Manchester Regiment during his time in the army, until he was discharged in 1902.

During WW1 James reenlisted, and was posted to 11th Manchester Regiment, aged 41. James fought at Gallipoli and the Somme offensive but was wounded in the Somme offensive in 1916 and sent home.
He was discharged later as his a gun shot wound to the foot left him invalid, in 1925 he went to Manchester royal to have his foot amputated with 2 other men, all unfortunately died a few weeks after surgery of gangrene.

James is buried with my great grandfather, my great granduncle and other family members in Philips park cemetery.

If anyone has any stories of memories of James, of any pictures of the regiments he was enlisted in that might be him, please share!
There was only one known picture of James that my Grandma believes was thrown out by her Auntie after her Grandmother died.

Thank you!

[themonsstar]

Hi Zoe

Welcome to the site, and have a good look around

Cheers Roy

[helen_w]

Is this link any use to you?

http://philips-park-war-graves.weebly.com/world-war-one-surnames-b.html

[Sniper0745]

Welcome Zoe,

                   Enjoy the forum and i'm sure that some of our members will be able to give you background to your ancestor's military background such as postings and the battles he may have taken part in.

Regards

Mike

[pete th]

Hi Zoe, welcome to the forum. I assume that James was "BAKER, J. Sgt 2398" on the 1915 Star Roll. If this is correct, the only things I can add are:

His medal index card shows that he disembarked in the Balkans (which includes Gallipoli) on 06.07.15. He would have first arrived at the Greek Island of Imbros to prepare for the Suvla Bay (Gallipoli) landings on the night of 6th/7th August 1915.

He was later transferred to the 26th Battalion, The Manchester Regiment and renumbered 29772. His rank at the time was Warrant Officer Class 2.

He was discharged as medically unfit on 4th July 1917.

James has an entry in the National Roll of the Great War. Families had to pay a subscription to have someone listed and the entries were written by family members. The mentions of serving at the landing at Cape Helles and the Battle of Krithia are almost certainly incorrect. His first service at Gallipoli would have been the Suvla Bay landings. His address is given as 33 Dickens Street, Queen’s Road, Manchester.

Were his parents Thomas and Sarah Ann Baker (nee Walters) from Ardwick? If so the service records for his prewar service are available on Ancestry - please let me know if you want to see them (email to pete.thomas(at)NTTX.co.uk - replace (at) with "@").

The story of James' fate seems so unfair for someone who had given so much for his country.

Hope this helps
Pete