This Notice appeared in Murchison Advertiser on Friday 24th May 1918Lance-Corporal William BakerKilled.During the week the sad news was received from the Defence Department that Lance-Corporal William Baker, son of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Baker, Colbinabbin East, had been killed in action in Palestine on 3rd May. Lance-Corp. Baker was 25 years of age, and enlisted from Rushworth in September, 1914.  He had seen three years and three months of active service up till the time of his death. He was a native of South Murchison .

Interestingly directly under this article in the Murchison Advertiser is an article on Sergent Egbert Smith

Sgt Egbert Smith Wounded and Missing.On Friday last a departmental message conveyed the tragic news to Mrand Mrs F. W. Smith, Rushworth, that their eldest son, Egbert, was wounded and missing. It is probable that Sgt.Smith was engaged in the recent severe fighting in Palestine, and that misfortune overtook him during the retirement across the Jordon about three weeks ago. Egbert had seen much service on Gallipoli, and was invalided home. Recovering from his illness he returned t0 the front once more, and has been fighting against the Turks ever since. We fervently hope that the unfortunate soldier is alive, and that he is receiving good treatment at the hands of the enemy. To be reported wounded, as well as missing, means that his fate is a question of great uncertainty, and his parents have undergone a period of terrible suspense.

Following are Letters to George and Sarah Baker sent after Bill’s death 3/5/1918

Palestine May 8th 1918

Dear Mr Baker

You will know long before this reaches you that your son was killed in action on 2nd of this month after some very severe fighting and his death was instantaneous and without suffering as is very often the case on the battlefield and you and Mrs baker and family have my deepest sympathy in your sad loss. He and Egbert were the two most popular men in the Regt and we mourn their loss. I’ll write again later

Sincerely yours

Hughie Cameron.

A second more detailed letter from Hughie Cameron is below

Palestine July 22nd 1918

Dear Mr Baker

I received your letter with the last mail and will try to give you some idea of the fighting that took place in which your son was killed and Tho his loss causes you and his Mother pain you have something to feel proud about and that is the fact that the loss of any two men could not have caused such a feeling of regret and sympathy amongst their comrades.

Will had been promoted Corporal a few days before our brigade moved out from Jericho which was at 8pm on the 28th April and after riding for 2 hours crossed the Jordon river a few miles north of the dead sea and then pushed forward in a northerly direction and came into contact with the enemy at 2.30 am the next day (29th) two troops of the 9th including Will with Egbert in charge were acting as flank guard for their regiment. We had some very severe fighting all that day but managed to push on and captured the town of Es Salt at 6.20 pm just before dark.

30th the Enemy strongly attacked several times in the hope of retaking the town but were repulsed each time with heavy losses and that night charged our positions with bombs and rifle grenades but again failed to obtain their objective. 1st Next morning we were still in the front line when word came through that enemy reinforcements were forcing their way through our rear guard and thus threatening our position very seriously as we were then practically cut off from our supplies and communication 2nd at 1am they strongly attacked that part of the line that the 9th were defending and received another severe punishment for their trouble very few of them getting away . That afternoon I had a short talk to Egbert and Will and we were all as well and fit as could be expected. That night orders came through that we were to hold the line at all cost and with the exception of rifle fire things were reasonably quiet till about 8 am next day (3rd). When they strongly attacked in force and it was this engagement that your son fell whilst in charge of his Hotchkiss gun section, death was instantaneous and he and two other comrades were buried a few hundred yards behind the line in a valley. Two hours later the order came along to retire and after the retirement the line formed up again and that was the first they knew that Egbert was missing. On the trip to Es Salt the country is extremely rough and mountainous and often we had to travel in single file and lead our horses and M guns and rifles putting it in from all quarters and then as we were completely surrounded had to fight our way out again arriving in Jericho on the 6 th May . it was then that I first learnt that Egbert was missing and Will had made the supreme sacrifice. Pte Hicks was there and is returning to Australia so if you see him perhaps he can tell you better than this and give yo a better idea of what things were really like. But if you don’t happen to meet him any questions that you care to ask or any information I can get I will gladly forward it on to you as soon as I get it.

This is about all I know just at present and trust that it will give you satisfaction to learn that tho your boy fills a soldier’s grave he died a soldier’s death and did not linger on in agony as is often the case

If I could interpret your boy’s thoughts , they would be to keep your courage up and be as cheerful as possible and tho at present it’s mighty hard. He ‘Played the game’!

Yours very sincerely

Hughie Cameron

Palestine May 10th 1918

Dear Mr Baker

I trust that these few lines will help to comfort you and the remainder of your family in the loss of your son Will. Having been in the same section for somewhere about 6 months I have found what a fine soldier and gentleman Bill was .I was with him from last May until this New Year when I transferred to headquarters and I can say I always found him all a section mate could be and I was very sorry indeed to hear he had been killed on our last stint. I myself was not out owing to being in charge of our dump and details camp at Jericho, so can not give you any particulars as to how he met his death except from hear say. The number 2 on his gun was Pte Rogers whom I saw on his way to hospital he says he remembers seeing the ‘Jacks’ throw a bomb then remembers nothing more til meeting a field ambulance on the Jordan after riding for over 20 miles. He asked me if I had heard how Bill got on bit as I hadn’t heard then that he had been killed I couldn’t tell him. Rogers got a wound in the ear and side of the head. It seems that the bomb landed in the centre of the gun blowing it to pieces and killing Will almost instantly with regard to his private effects I understand Charlie Heywood has charge of them and is forwarding them to you.

Well Sir I take the opportunity of letting you know a little of my feelings when I say that Will was as fine a comrade as one could wish to have , also to express my sincerest sympathy with you

Yours sincerely

R P Lewis 3178 L / cpl Headquarters 9th LH Regt

Palestine May 17th 1918

Mrs G Baker Rushworth Victoria

Dear Mrs Baker

I thought you might like to get a note from someone who was there when you son met his death. I am his Squadron leader. It all happened at 9.30 am on the morning of the 3 rd inst. Your boy had charge of a Hotchkiss rifle and was in the front line doing his duty when a sudden rush of the enemy came they threw a bomb which caught him and wounded the other members of his team and smashed his gun. He suffered no pain it was all so sudden. Corporal Baker was one of the best lads in my squadron and was loved by everyone. His mates held him in great esteem. He was so attentive to his duties, so full of courage and ability, so keen enthusiastic and Zealous and was such a gentleman. He was wafted away suddenly doing his best in the execution of his duty. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement being his Mother you will feel his loss so much. You can take a little consolation in the fact that he died for his country as so many thousands of others have done in this terrible war.

I am yours sincerely

W T Charley, Major

9th L. H., A.I.F

The above letter also appeared in the Murchison Advertiser on Friday 19th July 1918 as below

The Late Corporal Baker.The following letter has been received by Mrs Geo. Baker, Colbinabbin, fromMajor Charley, a squadron leaderof the Aust. Light Horse, in Palestine, and tells how her son, Corporal Baker, met his death : (Dear Mrs Baker)I thought you might like to get a note from someone who was there when your son met his death. I am his squadron leader. It all happened at 9;30 a.m. on the morning of the 3rdinst. Your boy had charge of a Hotchkiss rifle and was in the front line doing his duty when a sudden rush of the enemy came. They threw a bomb, which caught him and wounded the other members of his team and smashed his gun. He suffered no pain. It was all so sudden. Corporal Baker was one of the best lads in my squadron, and was loved by everyone. His mates held him in great esteem. He was so attentive to his duties, so full of courage and ability, so keen, enthusiastic and zealous, and was such a gentleman. He was wafted away suddenly doing: his best in the execution  of his duty. Please accept my sincere sympathy in your bereavement. Being his mother you will feel his loss so much. Try and take a little consolation in the fact that he died for his country ;as so many thousands of others havedone in this terrible war.  Yours SincerelyW. T. CHARLEY, Major,9th L.H., A.I.F.

Egypt May 18th 1918

Dear Mrs Baker

I deeply sympathize with you in the loss you have sustained by Will’s Death. His demise will be mourned by all in his squadron. Never once did I hear a word spoken against him, only yesterday a lad here from the 9th told me that He and Egbert Smith were two of the most popular men in the squadron. Never since he was wounded at Galipoli had he left the regiment He Stuck it when times were far from bright. I dare say someone in his troop will write and give you more particulars. But from what I can gather he was killed instantaneously by a bomb at 10 am on the 3 rd inst. The turks came in large numbers and forced them to retire. Egbert Smith was on the same post and was wounded and unfortunately had to be left behind . In conclusion once again I offer you all my heart felt sympathy

Yours Sincerely

Sgt S v Hicks 8.A.L.H.

Palestine May 23rd 1918

Dear Mr Baker

In a few brief lines I desire to express my deepest sympathy with you in the loss which you have sustained in the death, upon the battlefield , of your son.

Our regiment was engaged in the operations in the vicinity of Es Salt east of the Jordan. The enemy in superior numbers were pressing our line in the part held by the squadron in which your son was. It was then that he met his death. This must be a great blow to you and I should like to assure you of the sympathy of his comrades for you and those who sorrow with you in this time of affliction

I trust that the knowledge that he sacrificed his life in the cause of right and duty. May in a measure, at least, tend to your consolation and comfort. And that In your sorrow you may experience the greater consolation and strength of the devine spirit, whose …. Is to the afflicted and stricken

As chaplin attached to the 9th Light Horse I write these few lines on behalf of the regiment and of myself

Sympathetically yours

Reginald C Turner

Palestine June 30th

Dear Mr Baker

It is with extreme regret that I am forced to write and tell you of the moment in which your son Cpl Baker of the 9th Light Horse Regt died on active service

On the 4th of May 1918 during our operations in the vicinity of Es Salt Cpl Baker was in charge of a Hotchkiss gun in part of the line I commanded . At about 9 am the enemy commenced to attack us . In spite of all we could do they continued to advance and heavily outnumbered us and were soon within bombing range. The Leunt. Saw bombs landed in vicinity of the Hotchkiss and wounded all the rest of the team but your son continued firing the gun by himself in the most gallant manner until another bomb landed along side the gun and killed him. Death was instantaneous, but owing to the fact that the enemy continued to press home his attack our post was forced to withdraw slightly and we were unable to retrieve his body or any personal effects.

It is needless for me to state how we all sympathise with you for we ourselves have lost a good friend and a gallant fighting man, who , coming away with the original regiment had steadfastly ‘played the game’ during three strenuous years of active service. Our loss is all the greater as tho your son was a comparatively new N.C.O. he gave promise of being one of the best in the squadron. Once again expressing our sincerest sympathy for you and your family.

I am Sincerely yours

L. W. Hargraves

Lieutenant 9th Light Horse Rgt

Palestine 3rd Sept 1918

Dear Mr Baker

Have just received your letter of July 8th and have written to Rogers sent him your address and asked him to let you have any information he may have. I am sort to say I cannot give you any more information as I was not there at the time myself . it certainly is a great pity that the power of the manhood of Australian and the world is being sacrificed, but it seems unavoidable does it not under the circumstances. As my father was born in Elmore ,Will and I often had a chat about places we both knew. I have made several visits to Elmore my uncles family being Tom Parsons the storekeeper there. Its now a good many years since father left there . my grandfather often times running the mail coaches in the district. I also have a cousin who married a farmer near you, Will knew him but I forget his name .Daisy was married about the beginning of the year, I think.

The regiment is rather low in strength now owing to malaria and other fevers in the valley and an epidemic of influenza since coming here. It’s marvellous what an enormous strain some men can stand when put to the test . As the news from the western front is now far better that it has been for months we are all living in hopes of this year seeing the end of it and that we may once more see Australia. News has been received that Egbert Smith is wounded and a prisoner of war in Damascus Turkey.

With Kindest regards

I remain yours sincerely

R Percy Lewis 9th LH Regt.

Palestine Sept 15th 1918

Dear Mr Baker

I am writing you a few lines having had no opportunity of getting any correct information in regards to the death of your son Will. Had I been with him at the time I should

have wrote and in formed you before but owing to having wounds myself before he was killed I had left the line and gone back.

I had been with Will on the Hotchkiss Gun for nearly 18 months and was very sorry to lose my old section mate but have been informed death was instantaneous. It is very hard after having done over 3.5 years to have been killed at the raid at Es Salt If I ever get an opportunity of doing anything to Wills grave I will certainly do so I will now draw to a close with sincerest sympathy for yourself and Mrs Baker in your sad loss

I remain yours sincerely

2147 L/C Arthur L Rogers

There are several post cards from Will and some of his comrades

There are 2o plus sympathy cards and letters that came from friends an example below

Australian Light Horse

Roles within the Regiment

Qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers

 

The following entries dealing with the roles and duties within the hierarchy of a light horse regiment are extracted from a very informative handbook called The Bushman’s Military Guide, 1898. While written in 1898, the information contained in the entries held true for the next twenty years with only minor modifications with the principles remaining as current then as now.

 

Qualifications of Non-Commissioned Officers

"Non-commissioned officers are the backbone of an army." - Wellington.

All Ranks.

(1.) It goes without saying, that every non-commissioned officer should be, first of all, an enthusiast in all matters appertaining to his regiment, and the capabilities of the Australian bushmen, whose latent talents and mode of life particularly fit them - when developed - for military purposes, for the defence of their Colony.

(2.) He should be a good horseman, a keen sportsman, a lover of horses, a good shot, and a regular attendant at drill.

(3.) He should have "a good eye for country," and be capable of making a rough sketch of what he sees of country, or position of a body of troops, and be able to write a short report if on patrol.

(4.) He should have the respect of his fellows, be capable of issuing orders, and obtaining obedience from his subordinates at all times, and, both by tact and example, show that he is prepared to be a strong link in the chain of responsibility from the lower ranks to higher grades, which is absolutely necessary for the training, and maintenance of discipline, in any military force.

(5.) He should always have a note-book (containing a roll of his troop or half-squadron) in his possession, and a watch to time messages when on patrol or scouting.

(6.) Every non-commissioned officer must be well informed in the drills of a regiment on horseback and on foot, as well as in the use of arms.

(7.) When in Camp, their duties generally are:-

(a) To maintain discipline amongst the men;

(b) assist the officers to uphold the credit of the regiment for the correct carrying out of military duty;

(c) the care of horses;

(d) the distribution of forage;

(e) the care of Camp equipment, and its return to store in good order on conclusion of camp.

(8.) When on guard they must remember the IMPORTANCE OF THIS DUTY. They should be well posted in:

(a) general duties of guards;

(b) mode of paying complements to armed parties, officers, etc.;

(c) manner of posting sentries;

(d) sentries' orders;

(e) mode of challenging guard or visiting rounds.