Pte 22314 Bennett Baker

• Age: 31
• From: Walton, Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Saturday 1st July 1916
• Commemorated at: Thiepval Memorial
  Panel Ref: P&F1D8B &8 C.

22314 Private Bennett BAKER, 20^th Battalion, KLR.

Bennett Baker was born on 06th December 1884 in Liverpool, the eldest son of Henry Baker, a self-employed butcher, and his wife Elizabeth Ann (nee Bennett), to whom he obviously owes his unusual forename. They married in 1881 in Preston. 

The 1901 Census shows Bennett, aged 16 as an apprentice to a chartered accountant. He is living with his parents and seven siblings at 201 Rice Lane, Walton, Liverpool. His father is a 53 year old butcher born in Liverpool, whilst his mother is 42 years of age born in Preston. His siblings, all born in Liverpool are recorded as; Margaret aged 18 and a pupil teacher, Alice aged 13, Kenny aged 11, Elizabeth aged 8, Frank aged 6, Amy aged 4 and baby Grace aged 7 months.  

On 05^th April 1906, Bennett married Emily Florence Hitchin in West Derby Register Office, although there is no trace of them in the 1911 Census. Emily was born on 18^th July 1886, the daughter of hairdresser George Frederick and Elizabeth Ann (nee Kerr) Hitchin who in 1901 lived at 103 Country Road, Walton. They had two children; Florence Mary born 19th October 1908 and Marjorie born 06th May 1915. 

On the 1911 Census, Bennett’s family are living at 61 Warbreck Road, Walton. His father Henry is aged 60, a wholesale butchers clerk, mother is not present. His siblings are recorded as; Alice aged 22, a confectioner, Elizabeth aged 18, a dressmaker, Frank aged 16, a watchmakers apprentice, Amy aged 14 at school, and Grace aged 10 at school.   

Bennett enlisted in Liverpool on the 06^th November 1914 joining the 20th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 22314, giving his age as 29 years 268 days, his occupation as clerk and his next of kin as his wife, living at 12 Wellfield Road, Walton. He is described as being 5'4", weighed 112lbs, 34" chest, with a fresh complexion, grey eyes and fair hair (balding). His religion was stated as Wesleyan. 

His record shows that he was serving with 22^nd Battalion from 08^th November 1915 in the UK before sailing for France aboard ‘SS Onward’ on 14^th March 1916 where he joined 30^th Infantry Base Depot. He finally joined the 20^th Battalion as part of a reinforcement draft on 02nd April 1916.

He was killed in action on 01^st July 1916 reportedly killed by shell fire whilst attacking enemy lines at Montauban as part of No 2 Company.

20^th Battalion

Maricourt

Zero Hour 7.30am. After 65 minutes intensive bombardment the Battalion advanced to the attack of the German trenches. The Battalion advanced in four lines each of the two leading Companies on a frontage of 2 platoons – No’s 1 & 2 Companies (in that order from the right) leading. No.3 Company int neh 3^rd wave. No.4 Company in the 4^th wave. There being a distance of about 100 yards between each line. The lines advanced through the enemy’s artillery fire as though on parade in quick time. The leading waves went on without a pause to Alt Trench and Casement Trench which were secured at (time not stated) am. The casualties up to this being small. Our barrage lifting Dublin Trench (the 1^st Objective) was captured and consolidation immediately proceeded with. Captain Whiting with the 3^rd wave entrenching about 150 yards in the rear. Captain Robinson was wounded and No.2 Company was commanded during the day by Lt C P Moore. Casualties up to now were killed 2 officers – 1 wounded and 49 other ranks casualties killed and wounded. At 11.50 am orders were received for the assault of the Briqueterie. The Battalion operation orders for this were issued from NW of Germans Wood. Our barrage lifted at 12,30 pm and No. 4 Company under Captain E C Orford assisted by a section of bombers under 2^nd Lt Baker who went up Nord Alley and Chimney Trench to secure his left flank, who had got right forward under cover of the fire of our guns rushed it almost without opposition. On the far side a party of the enemy were found in deep dug-outs. They brough a machine gun into action and some close fighting ensued in which Lt Gooch and Lt Williams were wounded. Opposition was however speedily overcome and the garrison consisting of the H.Q. of a Regt, one Colonel and 4 other officers – 40 rank and file , 2 machine guns together with maps, orders, documents and material fell into our hands. Steps were immediately taken for consolidating the ground won, which however owing to the destruction wrought by our “heavies” was a matter of great difficulty, what had been trenches being almost unrecognisable as such and the earth so pulverised that cover could only be made by aid of sandbags. The garrison was heavily shelled through the afternoon and most of the night and casualties were many. Battalion H.Q. were at the junction of Glatz Alley and Casement Trench north west of Germans Wood and this together with Dublin Trench received considerable attention from enemy guns. Casualties during the day 2 officers killed (2^nd Lts F Barnes and JC Laughlin) and 3 wounded (Captain H H Robinson, Lt S Gooch and 2^nd Lt F J Williams). 75 other ranks killed and wounded.     

Bennett's body was not found when the battlefield was cleared or was subsequently lost as his name is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial.

The Thiepval Memorial, the Memorial to the Missing of the Somme, bears the names of more than 72,000 officers and men of the United Kingdom and South African forces who died in the Somme sector before 20 March 1918 and have no known grave. Over 90% of those commemorated died between July and November 1916. 

On 01^st August 1932 the Prince of Wales and the President of France inaugurated the Thiepval Memorial in Picardy. The inscription reads: “Here are recorded the names of officers and men of the British Armies who fell on the Somme battlefields between July 1915 and March 1918 but to whom the fortune of war denied the known and honoured burial given to their comrades in death.”

His Service Record says he was awarded all three medals, however, his Medal Card shows only two which is likely as he apparently did not serve in France before 31^st December 1915.

His widow, Emily was awarded a pension of 18s and 6d a week for herself and her two young daughters. 

His mother, Elizabeth Ann, died aged 71, in the December quarter of 1929. 

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