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Auction: 22101 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 369

Four: Private J. Baker, 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment, killed in action on 18 December 1914

1914 Star (3-5778 Pte J. Baker. Devon: R.); British War and Victory Medals (3-5778 Pte. J. Baker. Devon. R.); Great War Bronze Memorial Plaque (James Baker), good very fine (4)

James Baker was born at Cove, Devon in 1893, the son of Charles and Jane Baker of Allshire Cottage, Dulverton, Somerset. Enlisting with the Devonshire Regiment he entered the war in France on 4 November 1914. The Battalion took up positions around the La Boisselle Road in mid-December 1914 and on 18 December took part in a Battalion assault. The War Diary for the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment notes that the Company Commanders only returned from their briefing 10-15 minutes before the operations were due to commence. This lack of time left them unable to explain the plan to their subordinates, a problem which came to light when Major Goadwyn of 'C' Company was wounded, leaving the Company in a state of confusion. The result was the company straying from the line of attack and becoming caught in the German wire where they were decimated. It is noted that 121 N.C.O.'s and men were killed, wounded and missing, among them Baker who is commemorated upon the Le Touret Memorial; sold together with a copied extract from the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment War Diary, M.I.C. and Commonwealth War Graves details.

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Sold for
£290

Starting price
£130