Information and photograph required 3rd RN Division

[Guest Elderscot]

We are producing a booklet on the names which appear on the War Memorial at our chuch. Whilst we are able to find information on most of the names we are stuck with Section-leader James Baxter.

The information in the church newsletter of January 1916 Has the following information

"Section-Leader James Baxter, 3rd Royal Naval Division, was officially reported missing after action at the Dardanelles between 4th and 6th June. At the end of July one of his friends wrote claiming to have definite information that he was a prisoner, but no official confirmation has been received"

James Baxter lived at 44 Polwarth Crescent, Edinburgh.

Any information would be most helpful.

[RaySearching]

Elderscot

Could this be your man

Name: James Baxter Service Branch: Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

Unit: Collingwood Bn

Rank: Leading Seaman

Death Date: 4 Jun 1915

Cause of Death: Missing, assumed killed in action

Burial: Helles Memorial (MR 4)

Service History:Enlisted 27th Sept. 1914 ; Collingwood Bn. 'B' Company 1st Platoon 4/2/15-4/6/15 DD.

Service Number: Clyde Z/359

Notes: Born 17th Dec. 1889. A Meat Salesman. Son of James Baxter of 1, Market Street, Dundee, & resided with his father on enlistment. Brother of Mr. D.K. Baxter, of 3 Waverley Terrace, Dundee, Forfarshire.

regards Ray

[Guest Elderscot]

Ray

Many thanks for your information which I will follow up. My only problem with your information is that the address I have for Dec 1914 is 44 Polwarth |Crescent Edinburgh and the address for enlistment is in Dundee.

Regards

Ed

[Sepoy]

Ed

I agree with Raysearcher that Clyde Z/359 Leading Seaman James Baxter, Collingwood Battalion, RND is your guy.

The RND Service record card for this man, shows that he was posted as missing following the 4th June, 1915 action. The card also shows details of correspondence between James's Father and other RND personnel intimating that James had been taken as a Prisoner of War.

It was, however, finally accepted that James had been Killed in Action on the 4th June 1915 and he was shown as "Discharged Dead" as at 4th June, from July, 1916.

Copies of all the RND Service record cards can be searched on line at Findmypast.com (pay to view)
http://www.findmypast.co.uk/search/military/royal-naval-division-service/indexes

Four James Baxters are listed but the above appears to be the most likely. None appear to have lived in Edinburgh.

The card for CZ/359 Leading Seaman James Baxter,can be found here
http://www.findmypast.co.uk/records/military/royal-naval-division-service/indexes/details/778?lastName=BAXTER&firstName=JAMES&includeLastNameVariants=false&includeFirstNameVariants=true&pageNumber=1

The original cards are held at the Fleet Air Arm Museum, near Yeovil, Somerset.

Sepoy

[Lawryleslie]

[wallace2]

Leading Seaman James Baxter is commemorated in the 1925 Dundee City Roll of Honour and also in the 2017 updated Dundee Seamen's Memorial unveiled By the Princess Royal inJuly this year.