Fantastic ‘Old Contemptible’ lot. Baker. Bletchley. Royal Artillery. Twice wounded.

1914 Star correctly named 38899 Gnr W Baker RFA
Pair correctly named 38899 Gnr W Baker RA

Complete with original clasp for 1914 Star

William was born in Bletchley 1894 and was working as a farm hand when he enlisted in February 1913 aged 18.

He was sent to France on the 25th of September 1914 and served with the 3rd Siege Battery as well as the 5th, 6th,107 & 109 Siege Batteries.

We find two wound reports dated 9/11/1917 and 2/9/1918 and the lot comes with his two wound stripes

His first wounding was a severe GSW to the buttocks, the lot has his ship label with the ship AT Pieter De Coninck noted on the label. The Army Form B. 104-81A is present to confirm also.

The Pieter de Coninck was owned by the Belgium Government’s railway service (Regie voor Maritiem Transport) and operated a cross channel service to Dover from Ooustende. With the outbreak of war it began a service to Dover, and later Folkestone. On 6 Oct 1914 it carried Belgium officials to Dover to escape German occupation, followed by other evacuees to Dover between 10 and 12 Oct 1914. Finally it carried Belgium Government Ministers to Le Havre.
On 18 Dec 1915 the Pieter de Coninck began providing a Hospital ship service from Calais to the UK. Her management taken over by the British in February 1917, she continued as a hospital ship based in Dover, transporting large numbers of wounded in one direction and troops in the other until 28 Mar 1919, having completed 292 trips. It was staffed by 4 Medical Officers, one Warrant Officer, 4 Nursing Sisters and 26 other ranks, and could transport 387 casualties at a time – 19 officers, 38 in cots and 320 in berths. Following the end of hostilities she assisted with the repatriation of British troops.

The later wounding is noted as gas poisoning and an Army Form B. 104-81A is with the lot to confirm. It tells us he was admitted to 7 Stationary Hospital in Boulogne.

His discharge certificate also is present and it tells us he was discharged in 1925 as termination of his first period of engagement.
By now, he has a new service number 1408645. He served 8 years and 59 days with the colours and 3 years 306 days in the reserves.

Also included is his Soldiers Small Book and RA cap badge.

Post war he became a member of the Old Contemptibles and was issued badge number 3091E which is included and the stamping corresponds with his subscription card which is named and has the same number. The card is also a part of the lot. The are a few pay pay chitties for his subs paid also.

His WWII era National Registration Identity Card is present which notes his address as 64 Daneland, East Barnet, Herts.

A few original newspaper clippings included.

William died in April 1969.

A really nice altogether lot for an old contemptible.

The medals have original silk ribbons.