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General => Armed Forces => World War One => Topic started by: Midase on Saturday 01 July 17 20:43 BST (UK)
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I cannot find a soldier who died of wounds in Salonika. I have searched all the war graves in Greece as well as WW1 records. He is reported in the local paper dated 12 June 1918, so his death would have been around this time. "Local soldier dies of wounds. Sapper Albert Baker Royal Engineers, died as a result from wounds received in action in Salonica." Could he have been repatriated? Any clue would be most helpful. The reference to 'local soldier' would be Bridgwater in Somerset.
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There are a couple of references on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website (www.cwgc.org)
Sapper Albert William Baker, 177169, 78th Field Coy, Royal Engineers
Died 26/3/1918, age 33
Husband of Edith Ellen Baker, of 34, Vernon Rd., Tunbridge Wells, Kent
Sapper A Baker, 94309, 26th Field Coy, Royal Engineers
Died 31/5/1918
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Many thanks. I have just come across 94309 which would match the date of death to the paper news article. However, it says that he died in France & Flanders and not Salonica. I have also found his parents address but there is no mention of a son Albert (Albert is the name of the father) but there is a son called Alfred aged 9 in 1911 so he could have joined up later. All very intriguing.
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94309 Albert Baker left a widow Mary - does that add up? And his place of birth is given in Soldiers died in the Great War as Bridgwater although he lived in Wales. He did die in France but it wouldn't be the first time a newspaper got an important fact wrong. The company he was with when he died had not served in Salonika although of course that on its own doesn't mean anything. Joined up in April 1915.
(sources Soidiers Effects and gratuity calculation)
maxD
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If it helps 26 Coy. were at Tourbieres.
The diary for the 31st. says:
Shelling-all movement had to be cut down to a minimum. Fortunately a certain amount of cover had been procured but that did not prevent several casualties being sustained.
They were in billets at the time.
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Hi jim
He died in 6 CCS at Pernes so perhaps wounded a little earlier?
maxD
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Makes sense Max, Pernes was just a few miles from their billets at Sailly-Labourse.
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Roger that.
maxD
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94309 Albert Baker left a widow Mary - does that add up? And his place of birth is given in Soldiers died in the Great War as Bridgwater although he lived in Wales. He did die in France but it wouldn't be the first time a newspaper got an important fact wrong. The company he was with when he died had not served in Salonika although of course that on its own doesn't mean anything. Joined up in April 1915.
(sources Soidiers Effects and gratuity calculation)
maxD
Thanks MaxD. I came across the information late last night. I am beginning to suspect that the newspaper has it wrong and also that they have his parents wrong as well. Looks like a bit more searching coming up. :(
Thanks to all that responded with some excellent information.
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Sapper A Baker of the Royal Engineers 94309 was previously on the daily wounded list for 2 Oct 1916, so might this have happened in Salonica with a previous unit and the papers muddled up the information?
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That's an excellent spot Jomot (my bit earlier about the unit not serving in Salonika was a way of saying he might have served in another unit). I'd bet your suggestion is the explanation.
maxD
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Except that he did not die until 1918!
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The 1916 was a wounded list so:
Wounded Salonika 1916
Rejoins when fixed
Joins 26 Fd Company in France at some time
Wounded 1918 in France and dies. As Jomot suggests, local newspaper mixes up the 1916 report with the 1918 death.
maxD
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Excellent information and help. Many thanks again maxD