Reginald John Baker
Surname: Baker
Other names: Reginald John
Locations in this story: Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury, DorsetChinaJutlandCosham, Portsmouth, HampshireLydlinch, DorsetCompton Dundon, SomersetLlangafelach, Swansea, GlamorganshireSouthsea, Hampshire
Story: Reginald John Baker was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 31st December 1879, the son of Samuel Baker and Sarah Jane Baker (née Edgar). His early life was spent with his parents at Tan Yard, St. James, Shaftesbury, Dorset. He was living with his grandparents in Compton Dundon, Somerset, at the time of the 1891 Census and by 1901 was boarding in Llangafelach, Swansea, Glamorganshire and working as a Fitter.
He joined the Royal Navy on 16 May 1901 (Service No. 270449). He served on many ships in time throughout the world and by 1911 was stationed on board HMS Inconstant in the China Area. He served at the Battle of Jutland in WW1 and was finally discharged on 19th October 1918. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His final rank was Acting Artificer (Engineering). The 1921 Census shows him living at 36 Bradford Road, Southsea, Hampshire, described as an Artificer Engineer (RN) Retired. He is known to have lived at 18 St John's Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he died on 2nd March 1937, He was interred at Lydlinch, Dorset (his parents' birth place) on 7th March 1937. Probate was granted later to his widow, Martha Baker, though no record of the marriage can be found.
He joined the Royal Navy on 16 May 1901 (Service No. 270449). He served on many ships in time throughout the world and by 1911 was stationed on board HMS Inconstant in the China Area. He served at the Battle of Jutland in WW1 and was finally discharged on 19th October 1918. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/15 Star. His final rank was Acting Artificer (Engineering). The 1921 Census shows him living at 36 Bradford Road, Southsea, Hampshire, described as an Artificer Engineer (RN) Retired. He is known to have lived at 18 St John's Road, Cosham, Portsmouth, Hampshire, where he died on 2nd March 1937, He was interred at Lydlinch, Dorset (his parents' birth place) on 7th March 1937. Probate was granted later to his widow, Martha Baker, though no record of the marriage can be found.
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Links to related web content / sources: The National Archives
