Richard George Baker, known as George, was born on London Road, Boxmoor, Hertfordshire on Sunday, 4th May 1890 and baptised in St Mary’s Church Apsley-End on Sunday 21st September in the same year. He was the only son born to Daniel Baker and Jane Dobson and he had five sisters who were Edith, Kate, both older; and Annie, Beatrice and Ellen, all younger.

George grew up and lived on London Road for his whole life and he attended the local boys school in Apsley were he began his education in 1895. He left the school in 1903 aged thirteen and went to work for John Dickinson & Co. Limited in Home Park Mills in Kings Langley. He was employed in the envelope department and he remained with the company until he went to war. His father Daniel and his two older sisters also worked for Dickinsons.

George joined the Colours under the Group or ‘Derby’ Scheme attesting at Hertford in December 1915 and joining the Hertfordshire Regiment. His enlistment record creates some confusion because his birthplace is recorded as Elmdon in Essex and research has revealed that there was indeed a George Baker born there two years before our Hemel soldier. However, all other existing military and social records verify that George was a native of Boxmoor and his father was Daniel B. Baker.

It is not known when George went to France, nor is it known if he went to join his own regiment as he transferred at some point to the Somerset Light Infantry (SLI). It is possible that he was posted to the 6th Battalion SLI when he was drafted simply to help bring that Battalion back up to fighting strength.

Regardless of the reasons or timing George found himself at the Front under the orders of the 43rd Brigade in the 14th (Light) Division. In May 1917 the 6th Battalion was near Wancourt in France approximately six miles to the south of Arras.

Starting on the 3rd May George was in action as the Battalion went onto the offensive and for the next four days the 6th Bn. SLI came under intermittent but heavy artillery and gas shelling from the enemy. By the 7th May when it was relieved the Battalion casualties incurred were as follows: “1 Officer Wounded; ORs 5 Killed 13 Wounded”. George was one of the soldiers killed.

He died on Monday 7th May 1917.

His death was reported briefly in the Hemel Gazette two weeks after he was killed.

George is Remembered with Honour on the Arras Memorial, Pas-de-Calais, France, Bay 4.

He was 24 years old when he died.

George was entitled to the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.