William George Baker in the garden of The Old Hall, Saxlingham Nethergate. November 8th 1931
William was born in Shotesham St Mary, Norfolk on 12 June 1887. He was the second child of George and Ann Maria (nee Youngman) Baker. He was baptised in Shotesham Church on 2 June 1889.
He had nine brothers and sisters.
Maud born1886
John H born 1889
Charles born 1 May 1891
Sydney born 9 June 1893
Frederick born 23 November 1895
James born 3 December 1897
May Mary Ann born 27 May 1900
Mabel Sarah born 27 April 1902
Albert Edward born 17 July 1905
The four eldest children were born in Shotesham but by 1893 the family had moved to Saxlingham Nethergate. Sydney was baptised in Saxlingham Church.
In 1901 William was working as a stock lad on a farm and the family lived in Brown’s Lane Saxlingham Nethergate.
William joined the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers and in 1911 was a private serving in India. His service number was 1120.
He went to France at the beginning of the war arriving there on 13 August 1914. He was probably still a regular soldier. He became a member of the Machine Gun Corps, service number M 25814.
His service and pension records have not survived so there is no more information about his military service.
In April 1922 he married Ellen Louise Payne in St Mary’s Church Saxlingham. She was aged 20, born 5 August 1902 and he was 34 years old. She came from Shotesham and her father was Alfred Payne, a farm labourer. William’s father was listed as being a gardener and William was a labourer.
In 1939 William and Ellen lived in the house on the corner of the Hempnall Road and Saxlingham Green. He was working as a gardener and was also an ARP warden.
They did not have any children and were known as Billy and Nelly.
He worked as a gardener for Mrs. Campbell Steward at the Old Hall, Saxlingham Nethergate. She was the major landowner of the village owning several farms and cottages.
William died 8 December 1957 and at the time of his death still lived on The Green, Saxlingham Nethergate. Probate was granted to his wife.
Acknowledgements
England & Wales, Birth, marriage, death index 1837-2005
UK Census Collection
British Army Medal Roll Index cards, 1914-1920
1939 Register- www.findmypast.co.uk
Norfolk Electoral Roll, Absent Voters List, Saxlingham Nethergate, Norfolk 1918-1920
Norfolk, Church of England Diocesan Baptismal Records, Saxlingham Nethergate and Shotesham
St Mary’s Church Saxlingham Marriage records (transcribed by Mary Muir)
Family information from Edna Carr, niece of William Baker
England & Wales, National Probate Calendar 1858-1995
If anyone has any photographs or information about this person please contact me. Email jan@janmfox.co.uk