Hilliard Patrick Baker
Personal History
When Hilliard Baker was drafted for overseas service on August 31st 1918, the tide of the Great War had finally turned. A few weeks earlier Allied forces, often led by Canadian Battalions, had pushed the Germans back 22 km. and were still advancing east of Arras. Other men from Port Dalhousie were part of that battle, "the 100 days" which would last until the end of the war and take four more local lives.
On his Recruit form it says he "claims to have asthma but does not give typical reasons or symptoms. Chest does not show evidence of asthma." Nevertheless, he knew he had a respiratory problem.
Records of other men who are part of this village history show that they had extensive training at Camp Borden in Canada, often for 6 months, before embarking overseas. Ten days after he signed up, Hilliard Baker was on the S.S. Durham Castle embarking from Quebec on Sept. 10 1918. He arrived in London on the 25th and was assigned to Witley Camp. Three weeks later he was admitted to Kimmel Park Military Hospital and described as dangerously ill. Sadly, three days after his 22nd birthday on October 24 1918, he died of bronchial pneumonia - - "attributable to exposure to infection while on military training for the present war."
Personal Information
Birth date: October 21 1896
Birthplace: Port Dalhousie, Ont.
Parents: John and Mary Baker RR 2 St. Catharines
Occupation: Farmer
Census of Canada Details: 1901
Military Information
Service Number: 3111370
Rank: Pte.
Regiment: 12th Reserves Battalion, Central Ont. Regiment
Theater of Service:
Date of Death: October 24th 1918
Age: 22
Length of Service: 11 weeks
Last Battle: Kimmel Park Military Hospital, Witley Camp England
Burial Details: Bodelwydden Flintshire
St. Margaret"s Churchyard, England Grave Reference: 44 O
Other Details
Commemorations: Commemorated on Page 363 in the Book of Remembrance
Photos:
Cenotaph
When Hilliard Baker was drafted for overseas service on August 31st 1918, the tide of the Great War had finally turned. A few weeks earlier Allied forces, often led by Canadian Battalions, had pushed the Germans back 22 km. and were still advancing east of Arras. Other men from Port Dalhousie were part of that battle, "the 100 days" which would last until the end of the war and take four more local lives.
On his Recruit form it says he "claims to have asthma but does not give typical reasons or symptoms. Chest does not show evidence of asthma." Nevertheless, he knew he had a respiratory problem.
Records of other men who are part of this village history show that they had extensive training at Camp Borden in Canada, often for 6 months, before embarking overseas. Ten days after he signed up, Hilliard Baker was on the S.S. Durham Castle embarking from Quebec on Sept. 10 1918. He arrived in London on the 25th and was assigned to Witley Camp. Three weeks later he was admitted to Kimmel Park Military Hospital and described as dangerously ill. Sadly, three days after his 22nd birthday on October 24 1918, he died of bronchial pneumonia - - "attributable to exposure to infection while on military training for the present war."
Personal Information
Birth date: October 21 1896
Birthplace: Port Dalhousie, Ont.
Parents: John and Mary Baker RR 2 St. Catharines
Occupation: Farmer
Census of Canada Details: 1901
Military Information
Service Number: 3111370
Rank: Pte.
Regiment: 12th Reserves Battalion, Central Ont. Regiment
Theater of Service:
Date of Death: October 24th 1918
Age: 22
Length of Service: 11 weeks
Last Battle: Kimmel Park Military Hospital, Witley Camp England
Burial Details: Bodelwydden Flintshire
St. Margaret"s Churchyard, England Grave Reference: 44 O
Other Details
Commemorations: Commemorated on Page 363 in the Book of Remembrance
Photos:
Cenotaph