Remembered Today: Acting Bombardier Harry BALDWIN, 125th Brigade Royal Field Artillery who died on 2nd February 1916, Humbercamps Communal Cemetery

CWGC Information

BALDWIN, HARRY

Rank: Acting Bombardier

Service No: 70551

Date of Death: 02/02/1916

Age: 21

Regiment/Service: Royal Field Artillery

"C" Bty. 125th Bde.

Grave Reference I. D. 5.

Cemetery HUMBERCAMPS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION

Additional Information:

Son of James and Kate Baldwin, of 26, Talbot St., Burnley.

Harry Baldwin was born in Burnley the son of James and Kate Baldwin of 26 Talbot Street Burnley. He enlisted in Burnley in “C” Battery, 125th Brigade, Royal Field Artillery His family had the following inscription engraved on his tombstone “Gone but not forgotten”.

Harry Baldwin was christened at St Peter’s Church on 3/6/1894. His Parents were James Edward and Catherine Baldwin of 26 Talbot Street. His father’s occupation was listed as striker (blacksmith?).

Harry Baldwin admitted to St Peter’s Infant School on 2/8/1898. He was born on 11/5/94 and his father was James Baldwin of 26 Talbot Street. Harry was admitted to St Peter’s Mixed School on 4/8/1901 and left on 7/8/03.

1901 Census for 26 Talbot Street - James Edward Baldwin (30) Iron Rail Maker born Brierfield, Martha (31) born Sheffield, Harry (6) Sydney (3) born in Burnley.

Thoroughly Reliable. Officer’s Tribute to Burnley Bombardier."

( Burnley Express 9/2/1916 (P))

On Monday morning Mrs Baldwin of 26 Talbot Street Burnley, received news of the death from wounds of her only son, Bombardier Harry Baldwin of the R.F.A. Bombardier Baldwin who was 21 years of age, was formerly a weaver at Messrs Stuttard’s Primrose Mill and enlisted on January 12th of last year. He was connected with St. Peter’s Sunday School and played in the football team there. He had been on active service in France for 7 months. He was only home on leave about three weeks ago, and had been back at the front just 10 days when he was killed.

The first word came in a letter from Capt. Thatcher who wrote:- “With the very deepest regret I write to you concerning your son. He was on duty in the trenches and the dug-out in which he was working was blown up by a German shell. I assure you I feel his loss very keenly. He was one of my best signallers and a thoroughly reliable man, trusted by his officers and liked by the ranks of the battery. I wish to express my very sincere sympathy in the loss which you have sustained. I am sure I am expressing the feelings of the whole battery in tendering their sympathy.

Bombardier Baldwin’s father, Pte. James Edward Baldwin, has seen service with the Loyal North Lancashire Regiment and is on military duty at present. His uncle, Trooper Edward Baldwin is with the Hussars, and another Trooper William Baldwin, with the Dragoons”.

The 125th Brigade RFA was a K4 war formed unit. CXXV Brigade joined 37th Division by 15/04/15. Disbanded 31/08/16. 125 was broken up in August 1916, its batteries being distributed between the other three, making their batteries up from four guns each to six.

The Brigade was part of the 37th Divisional Artillery. The Division trained at Cholderton in Hampshire and moved to Saint-Omer in France in July 1915, months earlier than other divisions of the fourth and fifth New Armies.The Long Long Trail The 37th Division in 1914-1918 shows that Acting Bombardier Baldwin would not have been involved in any major battles between his arrival in France and his death in February 1916, like many he was killed in the trenches holding the line.

He is burried in HUMBERCAMPS COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION15 miles south west of Arras, and commemorated on the St Peters Church War Memorial Burnley.