| Description | Work completed by volunteer includes the following information:
Thomas was born in 1896 in Beverley: the eldest son of Henry Baker a labourer from Leconfield and his wife Martha (nee Johnson) who originated from Shiptonthorpe. In 1911 the family lived in Beaver Road, Beverley, and Thomas, aged 14, was employed as a grocers’ errand boy. In Jan 1916, aged 19, he gave his occupation as loco cleaner when he enlisted in the 32nd (Res) Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers.
Thomas embarked for France on 28 Jun 1916 and in July of that year, was posted to the 16th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers, attached to the 9th Battalion K.O.Y.L.I. In May 1917 he was transferred to the Royal Engineers for posting to the 49th Broad Gauge Operating Company, and was certified as a proficient locomotive fireman. He continued to serve in this capacity until demobilisation in Sep 1919.
Thomas was awarded the British War & Victory medals
Thomas married Eveline Ruth Goodeve in Hull in 1921. Eveline was a widow whose first husband was killed in the Dardanelles in 1915 while serving with the 9th Battalion of the West Yorkshire Regiment. Thomas and Eveline had a daughter, Eva, born in 1925, and in the 1939 Register she was shown living with them in 21st Avenue, Hull, Thomas’ occupation show that he continued to be employed as a locomotive fireman when he returned to civilian life
Eveline died in Holderness in 1970, aged 77. Thomas died in Beverley in Sep 1976, aged 79.
Includes photograph, information taken from census, military records, Commonwealth War Graves, newspapers |