Sapper / Private James Baxter

SAPPER / PRIVATE JAMES BAXTER

919 – Mining Corps / 7032 16th Battalion

James Baxter stated he was born at Raphoe, Donegal, Ireland in 1871 and came to Western Australia. He married at Boulder, W.A. in 1914 to Mary Ann Smith. Their son Robert Edward was born in Boulder on January 26, 1915.

At the recruiting depot at Kalgoorlie, W.A. on November 24, 1915 the thirty-six year old miner applied to enlist for active service abroad. Personal particulars taken show his address at 85 King Street, Boulder, W.A. and passed the preliminary medical examination. His brownish eyes passed the eye test with fair vision in both eyes and he was 166cms (5ft 5¼ins) tall with a chest expansion of 80-85cms (31½-33½ins). Distinctive mark was a linear scar on his forehead. Declared fit his application was accepted by the recruiting officer. Attestation forms were completed which further describe him weighing 63.6kgs (140lbs) with a fair complexion and light brown hair. Presbyterian was his religious faith. Next-of-kin nominated was his wife Mary Baxter of 85 King Street, Boulder, W.A. and he allotted three-fifths of his pay in support of her and their children. He was sworn in the same day.

Acknowledgement to the departing volunteers was published in the:

He was assigned to the Miners Unit at Blackboy Hill camp, near Perth, W.A. on November 27, 1915 in the rank of Private.

Recruiting for the Miners’ Corps had begun on December 1st, 1915 therefore Private Baxter was placed for basic training at the Helena Vale camp at Blackboy Hill, W.A. with the newly forming Corps. The Unit’s title was the No. 3 Company with a major portion of No. 3 Company recruited by 2nd Lt. L.J. Coulter, A.I.F. who was sent from N.S.W. to W.A. for that purpose. They were made up to strength with 1 Officer and 274 Other Ranks and embarked from Fremantle, W.A.

On December 18, 1915 the company sailed for Sydney, NSW on board the troopship SS Indarra. His name appears on the passenger list which was published in:

On Boxing Day (Dec 26th), 1915 the Unit arrived in Sydney and marched into Casula Camp, near Liverpool, NSW. They were joined by the 4th Section of the Tasmanian Miners, bringing the establishment strength up to 15 officers and 349 Other Ranks under the command of 2nd Lieutenant L.J. Coulter.

Mining Corps Units from all Military districts came together at Casula camp, near Liverpool, NSW to complete training as a Corps. Baxter was assigned the regimental number 919 in the rank of Sapper and remained in No. 3 Company.

At a civic parade in the Domain, Sydney on Saturday February 19, 1916, a large crowd of relations and friends of the departing Miners lined the four sides of the parade ground. Sixty police and 100 Garrison Military Police were on hand to keep the crowds within bounds. The scene was an inspiriting one. On the extreme right flank, facing the saluting base, were companies of the Rifle Club School; next came a detachment of the 4th King’s Shropshire Light Infantry, then the bands of the Light Horse, Liverpool Depot, and the Miners’ on the left, rank upon rank, the Miners’ Battalion.

The Corps boarded HMAT A38 Ulysses in Sydney, NSW on February 20 and sailed for the European theatre. Arriving in Melbourne, Victoria on February 22 the Miners camped at Broadmeadows for a stay of 7 days while further cargo was loaded.

Another parade was held at the Broadmeadows camp on March 1, the Miners’ Corps being inspected by the Governor-General, as Commander-in-Chief of the Commonwealth military forces.

Leaving Melbourne on March 1, Ulysses arrived at Fremantle, Western Australia on March 7 where a further 53 members were taken on board.

On Wednesday March 8, 1916 the whole force, with their band and equipment, paraded at Fremantle prior to leaving Victoria Quay at 9.30 o’clock.

The ship hit a reef when leaving Fremantle harbour, stripping the plates for 40 feet and, although there was a gap in the outside plate, the inner bilge plates were not punctured. The men on board nicknamed her ‘Useless’. The Miners were off-loaded and sent to the Blackboy Hill Camp where further training was conducted.

On March 16, 1916 Sapper Baxter petitioned the Commanding Officer of the Mining Corps for discharge due to his family needing him and listed the extenuating circumstances:

(a) That the petitioner is a married man, his wife and child being solely depending upon him.

(b) That since his enlistment insuperable difficulties have arisen at his home.

(d) That owing to sickness his wife has been forced to contract debts which she cannot see any immediate way of

paying.

(e) That owing to delay and expense of obtaining the petitioner’s allotment money his wife and child has been on

many occasions reduced to penury.

(f) That the petitioner’s wife has been forced to pledge all her jewellery and personal effects to alleviate the strain.

(g) That on even date the petitioner on calling at Hdqts Perth to enquire into delay of payments overdue was

informed that the paysheets were not to hand from the East for last month’s allotments, therefore no pay until

such times as they arrive.

(h) That on even date the petitioner’s wife was obliged to remove her child from his go-cart on the public thorofare

and sell same to obtain food.

Briefly summarising:

That the petitioner considers it his bounding duty to be by the side of his wife and child, under the existing

circumstances, seeing the Military authorities have failed to carry out their duties to the least respect, and

having no further guarantee that the present conditions will not exist after his departure from these shores

his wife raises strong objections to him leaving her under such conditions as at present, and humbly prays

that it may please you to use your prerogative and cause his request to be granted.

I have the honour to be, Sir,

Your obedient Servant,

Written by petitioner.(Signed) James Baxter

The Mining Corps comprised 1303 members at the time they embarked with a Headquarters of 40; No.1 Company – 390; No.2 Company – 380; No.3 Company – 392, and 101 members of the 1st Reinforcements.

Finally departing Fremantle on April 1, Ulysses voyaged via Suez, Port Said and Alexandria in Egypt. Sapper Baxter was marked ‘failed to embark’.

In 1917 James and Mary were recorded residing at 30 Edward Street, East Perth and he was working as a Railway Employee. Their second son Thomas Reginald was born in Perth on April 9, 1917.

At the State Recruiting Committee Depot in Perth, W.A. on May 4, 1917 he re-applied to enlist for active service abroad. Personal particulars show the thirty-nine year old railway employee’s address was 39 Edward Street, East Perth and weighed 61.8kgs (136lbs) with a chest expansion of 82-89cms (32-35ins). He was married and stood 168cms (5ft 5ins) tall. Passing the preliminary medical examination his application was accepted by the recruiting officer.

Attestation forms were completed adding further details that his birthplace was Londonderry, Ireland and had been previously rejected for military service due to alcoholism. He nominated his wife Mary Ann Baxter of 39 Edward Street, East Perth as next-of-kin. Complexion was described as fresh with blue eyes and light brown hair with a distinctive scar on his upper chest. Religion was Church of England. He signed and took the ‘Oath of Allegiance’ the same day.

On May 8, 1917 Mr Thomas Smith of 39 Edward Street, East Perth wrote to Base Records, Melbourne that he would be pleased if they could give him any particulars regarding Sapper Baxter of the Mining Corps which left Fremantle on 1 April, 1916.

Base Records replied on May 21, 1917 that according to records Sapper James Baxter failed to re-embark at Fremantle on 1/4/16 and nothing further had been received regarding him. The writer added they had sent a communication to the Deputy Assistant Adjutant General’s office in Perth requesting particulars regarding this soldier be forwarded to them. They asked if he would communicate with their branch at a later date as further information may be available. The same day Records wrote to the D.A.A.G.’s office in Perth.

James was allotted for basic training on May 28, 1917 to the 21st Reinforcement to the 28th Battalion in the rank of Private with the regimental number 7032.

District Headquarters, Perth replied to Base Records on June 27, 1917 advising that Sapper Baxter had failed to re-embark on 1/4/16 at Fremantle and did not return to duty until 4/5/17 when he re-enlisted and had been attached to the 21st Reinforcements, 28th Battalion, now in camp. In view of the circumstances mentioned in the attached copy of Baxter’s letter [reproduced above] and the delay in payment had been verified, the Acting Commandant recommended that he be discharged as from 1/4/16 and that his re-enlistment stand.

In preparation for departure abroad it was noted that a copy of his Will had been lodged with his wife Mary Ann Baxter at 39 Edward Street, East Perth on July 6, 1917.

On July 27, 1917 Brigadier General at Base Records wrote to the 5th Military District, Perth informing that approval was granted on 11/7/17 and his records to be marked ‘discharged on 1/4/16 for family reasons.’

The 5th Military District, Perth notified Base Records on August 31, 1917 that the soldier had embarked for overseas on July 24, 1917 with the 21st Reinforcements, 28th Battalion.

Embarkation took place at Albany, W.A. on HMAT A16 Port Melbourne and the voyage terminated at Liverpool, England on September 16, 1917. The following day the troops marched into the 7th Training Battalion at Rollestone camp. On November 8 he was transferred to the 6th Training Battalion at Fovant but went A.W.L. on November 22, 1917 and returned six days later.

He proceeded overseas to France on January 23, 1918 from Southampton to reinforce the 16th Battalion in the field and was taken on strength on January 29, 1918.

Sick with debility on July 28, 1918 he was sent to the 4th Aust Field Ambulance then to the Casualty Clearing Station and rejoined his unit on August 21, 1918.

He was detached from the 16th Battalion to the 4th Aust Division Ammunition Dump on September 10 and rejoined his unit on September 22, 1918.

Leave was taken from October 18 and returned on November 4, 1918. He was with his unit when Peace was declared.

Detachment to the 4th Brigade Canteen took place on January 17, 1919. In an audit he was noted to be still detached from his unit on April 14, 1919. Orders were received to return to the 2nd Aust. Base Depot to prepare for demobilisation and on May 9 he crossed the English Channel from France and marched into the No.4 Group camp at Hurdcott the next day.

The following discipline was issued as follows:

Crime:Hurdcott A.W.L. 2400hrs 5/6/19 to 1600hrs 13/6/19

Award:Forfeits 8 days’ pay by Major T.R. North 16/6/19

Total forfeiture:16 days’ pay

The next day he was admitted to the 2nd General Clearing Hospital suffering from Rheumatism and transferred on June 29, 1919 to the 1st Aust General Hospital at Sutton Veny.

He was listed to depart from England on the transport City of Exeter but transferred as an invalid from the hospital where he was suffering from myalgia (muscular pain) to the Hospital Ship Kanowna on August 28, 1919 for his return to Australia. Base Records advised his wife on September 11 that he was on his way home. The ship docked at Fremantle, W.A. (5th M.D.) on October 15, 1919.

Private Baxter contacted Base Records and they replied on November 15, 1919 in connection with papers tendered in June, 1917 at a District Court Martial held in Perth; advising that this was receiving attention by the Adjutant General, Victoria Barracks in Melbourne, Victoria. He would reply to him directly as the papers were not kept at their office.

Military Discharge was issued in Perth, W.A. on January 15, 1920 as medically unfit due to disability of debility and disordered action of the heart (DAH).

For serving his country Private 7032 James Baxter, 16th Battalion was issued with the British War Medal (19927) and the Victory Medal (19047).

The couple appeared in the Divorce Court which was reported in:

Statements of Service were requested by the Repatriation Department in Perth from Base Records and were forwarded on September 21, 1929, February 6, 1930, November 10, 1932 and May 18, 1933.

Mary Ann Baxter married in 1933 to Robert Bayliss in Perth, W.A.

During World War II his two sons Robert Edward (Teddy) and Thomas Reginald (Tommy) Baxter enlisted.

Tommy Baxter enlisted with the Australian Army at Claremont, W.A. on August 16, 1940 from Tuart Hill, W.A. giving Mary Bayliss as next-of-kin. His service number was WX8085 and served with the 5th Reinforcements to the 2nd 16th Battalion attaining the rank of Sergeant. Discharge was issued on May 4, 1945.

Teddy Baxter enlisted on October 18, 1940 with the Army at Claremont, W.A. from Tuart Hill giving the same next-of-kin. His service number was WX8422 and was serving as a Private with the 2nd 16th Battalion when he was killed in action aged 27 years on December 5, 1942.

His grave is located in C6 portion of the Port Moresby (Bomana) War Cemetery within row A in grave no.15. Notation given as son of James and Mary Baxter of Tuart Hill and he is commemorated on a Roll of Honour at Tuart Hill.

In 1943 James Baxters’ residence was 135 Lincoln Street, North Perth with no occupation listed.

James Baxter passed away on December 8, 1949 aged 72 years at the Repatriation Hospital, Hollywood. Cremation took place at Karrakatta Crematorium and his ashes were scattered over a rose garden in the Cemetery.

Family notices were placed in the:

His name is commemorated on a Commonwealth War Grave plaque at Karrakatta Cemetery and the inscription reads:

His son Thomas Reginald Baxter died on September 3, 1951 aged 34 years and is memorialised at Karrakatta Crematorium within Niche Wall WO in position 086.

Mary Ann Bayliss passed away on December 26, 1962 aged 72 years, late of Highgate, Perth. Her grave is located in the Anglican portion of Karrakatta Cemetery within section GA in gravesite no. 654.