BAKER, William

William Baker was the son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Baker of Brettell Street, Dudley and attended the Claughton school He enlisted in the Yeomanry and joined the Worcestershire Hussars, thus following his brother Frank who was killed at Katia on the 16th April 1916. He embarked at Devonport in the 8th Draft on the 6th June 1916 and landed at Alexandria on the 16th. The battle of Katia had been a disaster for the Yeomanry with the loss of all the officers as well as his brother. The Turks were still dangerous and it was necessary to protect the Suez Canal but by 1917 the army went on to the offensive with the aim of capturing Jerusalem. Before it fell the Worcestershire Hussars were involved in the last cavalry charge in history on the 7th November at Huj. It was a great success but there were high casualties for the Worcesters. Some were taken prisoner and it is presumed that Trooper Walter Baker was among those made prisoners of war by the Turks. A year later he died of malaria on the 1st November in a camp, presumably at Damascus. He was 21 years of age and is buried in Damascus War Cemetery (A 29) and commemorated on the Dudley, Worcester Cathedral Hussars and Claughton school Memorials.