Description
Queen’s South Africa, 3 bars, Cape Colony, Orange Free State, Transvaal, King’s South Africa Medal, 2 bars, SA 1901, SA 1902, 2328 Pte James Robert Baker, 2nd Bn Grenadier Guards, a reservist recalled from Radbourne, Wiltshire.
QSA officially impressed: “2328 Pte. J.R. Baker. Gren: Guards.”
KSA officially impressed: “2328 Pte J. Baker. Grenadier Guards.”
Very good condition, do not appear to have been worn much.
With copy service records.
James Robert Baker, was born on 31st May 1868 in Radbourne, Malmesbury, Wiltshire.
First attested for the Grenadier Guards aged 21 on 5th March 1890.
Served from 1st March 1890 until 1st March 1893, before joining the Army Reserve.
“Recalled to Army Service Under Special Army Order of 20th December 1899”
Rejoined his old regiment for Boer War service, being posted to 2nd Battalion on 26th December 1899.
Saw service throughout the war until his discharge on 21st July 1902.
The 2nd Battalion Grenadier Guards, set off for South Africa on the Dunera on 18th March 1900, arriving around 11th April.
They formed part of a Brigade under command of General Sir Leslie Rundle.
Notably, they took many casualties at the Battle of Senekal and Biddulphsberg, where the regiment became engulfed in a veldt blaze, with a mix of rifle fire and the fires in the long grass they took heavy casualties and about 20 brave Guardsmen volunteered to recover the wounded from the fire.
After the war he returned back to Malmesbury, living in 1911 at Rodbourne Post Office, where his mother Sarah Baker was the Sub Postmistress.
He worked there for some years, through 1911 to 1921 at least as a Letter Deliverer and General Labourer at the Rodbourne Post Office.
By 1939, he was still in Rodbourne, at Sunset Cottage, being an “Old Age Pensioner” living with his sister.
