Henry George Baker was born at Hardington in 1893.[1] His father, Thomas, was a farm labourer. His mother, Charlotte, was the daughter of Albert Marsh, a farm labourer.
His parents were married in 1890.[2] They lived in several cottages in the village, probably moving as his father changed employers.
In 1891, they lived at Cowcroft Farm.[3] From 1896 to 1910, they lived at Bridge Close Farm Cottages.[4] They then lived in the High Street, followed by the cottage in the Barry Lane dip, and then the High Street again.[5] In June 1921, they lived in the cottage opposite the former Mandeville Arms.[6]
Before the war, Henry was a farm labourer.[7]
In 1914, he was one of four cousins from Hardington who were the first to volunteer for service in the New Army.[8] By November 1914, he was with the Dorset Light Infantry.[9]
On 4 August 1915, he was killed in action while serving with the 6th Dorset Regiment.[10] He was 22. Lieut. B. C. Mozley of the deceased’s platoon wrote to his parents, describing him as “a fine shot, as is his brother”. On the Sunday evening after the village learnt of his death, the Rev. Milligan held a memorial service in Hardington.[11]
References
[1] Civil Registration Birth Index.
[2] Civil Registration Marriage Index.
[3] RG12, piece 1895, folio 115.
[4] RG13, piece 2297, folio 41, page 2; voters’ lists.
[5] RG14, piece 14381; Guardian valuations; voters’ lists; Western Gazette, 8 May 1914, p.1.
[6] RG15, piece 11308, schedule 12.
[7] RG14, piece 14381.
[8] Western Chronicle, 3 September 1915, p. 8.
[9] Western Chronicle, 6 November 1914 p. 6.
[10] Soldiers Died in the Great War.
[11] Western Chronicle, 3 September 1915, p. 8.