CQMS 22005 John Charles Baines

• Age: 25
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: 6th Kings
• Died on Friday 3rd May 1918
• Commemorated at: Houchin Bc
  Panel Ref: I.D.3

John Charles Baines was born 17th March, 1893 and baptised 7th May 1893 at St Annes Church, Stanley, Liverpool. He was the son of Henry and Mary Elizabeth Baines who lived at 364 Prescot Road, Liverpool. 

The 1901 Census shows the family living at 376 Prescot Road, Liverpool.

The father Henry aged 45, born 1856 is employed as a chimney sweep and furniture porter and was born in Liverpool. His wife Mary Elizabeth is also aged 45, and has no occupation listed and was born in Liverpool. At the taking of the Census they have twelve children living at home, William aged 22, born 1879 is a solicitors clerk, Elizabeth aged 20, born 1881 has no occupation listed, Sarah aged 18,born 1883 is a dressmaker, Annie aged 17, born 1884 is also a dressmaker, Percival aged 15, born 1886 is a solicitor’s office boy, Rose aged 13, born 1888, Florence aged 11, born 1890, Emily aged 9, born 1892, John Charles aged 8, born 1893, Joseph aged 5, born 1896, Edith aged 3, born 1898 and Arthur aged 1, born 1900. All family members were born in Liverpool.    

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 364 Prescot Road, Liverpool.

The father Henry now aged 55, is still employed as a chimney sweep and his wife Mary Elizabeth is also aged 55, with no occupation listed. They have been married for thirty three years and have had fourteen children of which two had died. The Census shows eight children still living at home,  Elizabeth aged 30, and Florence Mary aged 21 are employed as seamstresses at a hospital, Percival aged 25, is a clerk for the County Borough Council as is John Charles who is aged 18, Emily aged 19, has no occupation listed, Joseph aged 15, is a part time student, Edith aged 13, and George aged 9, born 1902 are both at school.

He enlisted in Liverpool on 06th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion as Private 22005. He gave his age as 21 years and 209 days and stated his occupation as a Clerk. He was descried as being 5' 8 inches tall, weighing 133lbs with a fresh complexion with brown hair and brown eyes.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915.

Formed in November 1914 the 20^th Battalion were originally billeted at Tournament Hall, Knotty Ash before on 29^th January 1915 they moved to the hutted accommodation purposely built at Lord Derby’s estate at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 20th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France with his Battalion on 07th November 1915.  

He must have impressed his senior officers as he was appointed Lance Corporal on 08th December 1914. This was followed by his appointment as Acting Corporal on 25th August 1915, turned into a promotion to Corporal on 17th September 1915. Further promoted to Lance Serjeant on 17th September 1916, he then became Colour Serjeant on 01st January 1917.

He was acting Company Quatermaster Serjeant when he was transferred to the 6th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment on 22nd March 1918.

John Charles was killed in action on 03rd May 1918 aged 25.

Extract from The Liverpool Rifles: A biography of the 1/6th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment.- 

“The diary refers to 3 May as a ‘quiet day’, with ‘slight artillery activity’, but between 3.15-4 p.m., it was anything but. In retaliation for divisional ‘heavies’ targeting the Crater Field, German 77-mm, 4.2 and 5.9s fired upon ‘A’ Company in Herts Redoubt, Givenchy Keep and King’s Road. ‘D’ Company’s platoons in Cavan Lane and Moat Farm were also hit and Minenwerfers targeted Givenchy Keep and ‘A’ in Piccadilly. At various times during the day an 8-inch Howitzer also fired into the subsector. Thirty-nine-year-old Rfn John Wilson was killed outright, and Rfn John Jackson died from his head wound on 1 June—both from ‘D’; also killed were twenty-five-year-old CQMS John Baines and Rfn Richard Davenport. CQMS Robert Hull was wounded in the face, shoulder and foot—a ‘Blighty’ wound that ended his time with the battalion. Also wounded were 2Lt Hubert Kershaw, Rfn Samuel Southern—whose arm wound resulted in medical discharge—and ‘original’, Rfn James Burke, with contusions to his side and right arm. The loss of two CQMSs and an older man, suggests the stores, adjacent to HQ, was hit. Night patrols found little to report, though enemy working parties, seen in Sap-K and Sap-I, were dispersed with Lewis and rifle fire.”

His death was reported in the Liverpool Express on 15th May 1918 under the header:

CIVIC OFFICIAL'S DEATH

Much regret will be felt in municipal and other circles at the news of the death of Company Q.M.S. J.C.Baines, one of the sons of the well known Liverpool veteran bowler Mr. Harry Baines, official intimation having been received that he was killed by a shell on 3rd May.

"Charlie" as he was affectionatley known by his colleagues in the service, was, prior to his enlistment in 1914, a member of the Town Clerk's Department, Liverpool, and a brother of Mr. W. H. Baines , secretary to the Town Clerk.

Mr. Harry Baines has a family record to be proud of, as three of his sons joined H.M. Forces shortly after the outbreak of war, and one of hios daughters is also serving in the forces in Egypt. Much sympathy will be extended to Mr and Mrs Baines in their sad loss.   

John Charles Baines now rests at Houchin British Cemetery in France.

The cemetery was opened in March 1918 when the 6th Casualty Clearing Station came to Houchin. From April to September the German advance made Houchin unsafe for hospitals, and the cemetery was used by the 55th (West Lancashire) Division. In September 1918, the 6th Casualty Clearing Station returned to Houchin and was joined by the 15th CCS in October. Houchin British Cemetery contains 700 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and two from the Second World War. There are also 39 German and one Belgian war graves. The cemetery was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens.

His effects were sent to his father.

We currently have no further information on John Charles Baines, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.

Grateful thanks are extended to Kevin Shannon for permission to use the extract from his book The Liverpool Rifles: A biography of the 1/6th Battalion King's Liverpool Regiment.

Grateful thanks are also extended to Joe Devereux for permission to use the photograph of John Charles Baines now on this site.