Fredrick James Baker was born in the spring of 1894, in the Kent village of Malling. One of eleven children, his parents were James and Elizabeth Baker. James was a labourer in the local chalk and clay pits and, by the time of the 1911 census, the family had moved to Burnham, near Aylesford.

Frederick followed his father into labouring work, and they made a living at the local lime works. War was closing in on Europe, however, and he felt he needed to play his part for King and Country. He joined the Royal Army Veterinary Corps and, while his service records no longer exist, it is evident that he had enlisted by November 1916.

It is unclear whether Private Baker served at home or overseas, but he appeared to be dogged by ill health. He was medically discharged from the army on 26th May 1917, and returned to civilian life.

Sadly, it is at this point that Frederick’s trail goes cold. The only other evidence for him is that of his passing. He died from illness at home on 25th February 1919, at the age of just 24 years old.

Frederick James Baker was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Peter & St Paul’s Church in Aylesford, not far from where his grieving family still lived.

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While buried in the churchyard, the location of Frederick’s grave is not known. Instead, he is commemorated on a joint headstone in the First World War section of the graveyard.

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