James Baker was born in Saxlingham Nethergate on 3 December 1897. His parents George and Ann Maria Baker (nee Youngman) had ten children. They started their married life in Shotesham St. Mary and their four eldest children were born there. However by 1893 they had moved to Saxlingham Nethergate and lived on Brown’s Lane. George was a farm labourer. James was baptised in Saxlingham Nethergate Church on 6 March 1898.
James’s brothers and sisters were
Maud born1886
William G born1887
John H born 1889
Charles born 1 May 1891
Sydney born 9 June 1893
Frederick born 23 November 1895
May Mary Ann born 27 May 1900
Mabel Sarah born 27 April 1902
Albert Edward born 17 July 1905
He attested on 7 October 1916 and was called up for service on 7 May 1917. His service records have not survived. He is listed as being in the 4th Dragoon Guards and also 6th R.R.C. His service number was 28244. He left the Army on 5 December 1919. He did not serve overseas and did not receive any service medals. Information about his war service has been difficult to find.
In 1920s he is on the Electoral Roll for Saxlingham Netthergate living near Low Farm with his father and other members of his family.
In April 1931 aged 33 years he married Lilian Elizabeth English who was also from Saxlingham Nethergate. Her mother was a teacher at the local school and her father ran the Queen Adelaide Tavern. James was a farm labourer.
In 1939 James was working as a farm labourer and living with Lilian, born 16 April 1896 in a house on Saxlingham Green. They had a daughter Edna born in 1932.
He died in Norfolk in 1981.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Rolls-Southern Division Saxlingham Nethergate and Thorpe, (Absent Voters Lists 1918-19
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Saxlingham Nethergate.
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
If anyone has any photographs or further information about this person please contact me. Email address, jan@janmfox.co.uk