BAKER, Alfred Ernest

Alfred Baker was the husband of Sarah Baker of 37 St. James Terrace, Dudley. He enlisted in the Worcesters and joined the 10th Battalion in the 19th Division. From the start of the 1916 Battle of the Somme to the Third Battle of Ypres they had been in the heart of battle. Early in 1918 they were facing the Hindenburg Line near Cambrai and anticipating what became the German Spring offensives. The Worcester were in the reserve position when the huge attack came on the 21st March and did not suffer too seriously on the first day of the German advance. Early on the 22nd the 'grey avalanche' attacked again and, despite local successes, the Worcesters were driven back with heavy losses. These included Private Alfred Baker who was killed in action on this day. He was 41 years of age and is commemorated on the Arras, Dudley and St. James' church Memorials.