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Remembered Today:

reginald cecil baker 19th battalion tank corps


rollercoaster

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Has anyone any information on where to find records on the 19th battalion tank corps

he is buried in Horningsea church yard having died of wounds inflicted in France earlier 

date of death14th February 1920

 

thank you

 

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Have you checked the national archives to see if they have the war diary, they're free to download currently

 

Simon

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Hi, there is a brief history of 19th Tank Bn which shows that Captain Baker joined them at the end of the war in September 1918 - the battalion never saw action so there isn't very much about him. However he previously served with 4th Tank Bn from December 1916 and commanded tanks at the Battle of Cambrai on November 20 and 23, 1917. Before that he was commissioned in the infantry, as mentioned in this obituary from the Cambridge Independent Press on Feb 20, 1920. I haven't seen a death certificate but there is no mention in his service record of him being wounded - it appears from the newspaper article that he died from the after-effects of being gassed, and from the general stresses and strains of fighting the Western Front.

 

I hope this is helpful,

 

John

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Captain RC Baker 1/5 Seaforth Highlanders Tank Corps (4th & 19th Battalion) 1914/15 Star (Pte 3173 Sea Highrs), 1914/18 British War Medal & 1914/18 Victory Medal (Capt) RESEARCH General Reginald Cecil Baker Landed in France 1st May 1915 Enlisted Private 1/5th Seaforth Highlanders. Appointments:- Second Lieutenant 7th July 1916 (E Sur R), Lieutenant 7th January 1918 (Tanks), Acting Captain 1st September 1918 (Tanks), Captain 2nd November 1921. Tank Corps Movements:- Joined 4th Battalion date tbc, left 31st August 1918, joined 19th Battalion 25th September 1918 (In England). Confirmed Tank Veteran of Battle of Cambrai (20th & 23rd November 1917) and the defensive battles of The German Spring Offensive (Mar-Apr 1918). Probable Tank Veteran of Battle of Amiens (8-11 August 1918) and 3rd Battle of the Somme (22 Aug 1918) BATTLE REPORTS CAMBRAI 20TH NOVEMBER 1917 Extracts from the narratives of the excellent website "Landships" 10 Company of "D" Battalion had 12 tanks in action on 20th November 1917: Company Commander - Major EN Marris 1 Section - Captain JM Martin MC D2, 8064, m, “Duke Of Cornwall II”, 2/Lt. W.G.J. Wallace, D3, 2693, F, “Drone”, 2/Lt. A.S. Heffill, D14, 8071, M, “Darius”, Lt. C.J. Salmon, (See Tanks WW1 Officers) 2 Section - Captain CR Nicholls D4, 2634, F, “Dryad”, 2/Lt. S. Knox, D6, 2706, F, “Devil-May-Care” , Lt S.F. Glasscock, D8, 2320, M, “Diogenes”, 2/Lt. L.G.F. Short, 3 Section - Captain R.E. Boucher D9, 2054, m, “Damocles”, 2/Lt. R.C. Baker, D10, 2705, f, “Diana”, 2/Lt. W.L. Miller, D11, 2703, f, “Dominie”, Lt. T.K. Cook, 4 Section - Captain NE MacKeown D1, 8072, m, “Druid II”, Lt. E. Dawe, D5, 2643, f, “Dakoit II”, Lt. R.A. Hepteanstall, D18, 4568, f, “Don”, Lt. H.F. Smith (See Tanks WW1 MIDs), Orders Wire Crushers The first wave set off at Zero + 4 minutes, preceding them were six tanks from 11 company which were to crush the enemy’s wire and deal with any Machine guns nests in front of the front line 10 Company’s 12 tanks were to attack along with 6 tanks from 11 Company in the first wave supporting the 6th Black Watch and 5th Gordon Highlanders of 153rd Division. The tanks were grouped in threes, each group being followed by a platoon of infantry that were 100yds behind. To allow the infantry to identify the tanks and ensure they were still following the correct group if one or two tanks were Knocked Out the tanks were numbered D1 to D18 from the right. It is not clear if these numbers corresponded to the tanks crew numbers in 10 Company (Note that the numbers can’t have corresponded to the crew numbers in 11 Company which had crew numbers of 20+). Once the tanks and infantry had reached the Blue line (First Objective) they were to pause and await the second wave (12 Company). Surviving first wave tanks were then to aid the attack on the brown line (Second Objective) which included Flesquieres Village Account of Operations 1 Section D2, 8064, m, “Duke Of Cornwall II”, 2/Lt. W.G.J. Wallace, Attacked. Engaged enemy, ditched short of 2nd Objective, unditched, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied, D3, 2693, F, “Drone”, 2/Lt. A.S. Heffill, Attacked. Engaged enemy, Stayed in field in Flesquieres Village, D14, 8071, M, “Darius” , Lt. C.J. Salmon, Oil drums on top of tank caught fire at start line. Fire extinguished. Tank attacked, Engaged enemy, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied, 2 Section D4, 2634, F, “Dryad” , 2/Lt. S. Knox, Attacked, Engaged enemy, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied., D6, 2706, F, “Devil-May-Care”, Lt S.F. Glasscock, Attacked, Engaged enemy, Direct Hit and Burnt out between first and Second objectives. K17d5.5, D8, 2320, m, “Diogenes”, 2/Lt. L.G.F. Short, Attacked, Engaged enemy, Direct Hit between first and Second objectives. K17d5.2, 3 Section D9, 2054, m, “Damocles”, 2/Lt. R.C. Baker, Attacked. Engaged enemy, ditched short of 2nd Objective, unditched, too late for action, turned back and rallied. D10, 2705, f, “Diana”, 2/Lt. W.L. Miller, Attacked, Engaged enemy, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied. D11, 2703, f, “Dominie”, Lt. T.K. Cook, Attacked, Engaged enemy, Ditched then Direct Hit and Burnt out between first and Second objectives. K17d6.8, 4 Section D1, 8072, m, “Druid II”, Lt. E. Dawe, Attacked, engaged enemy, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied. D5, 2643, f, “Dakoit II”, Lt. R.A. Hepteanstall, Ditched at K29d5.2, D18, 4568, f, “Don”, Lt. H.F. Smith, Attacked, Engaged enemy, turned back just short of 2nd objective and rallied. (See Tanks WW1 MIDs) Aftermath D1, 8072, D2, 8064, D3, 2693, D4, 2634 all in Action on 23rd November 2320 (D8), and 2054 (D9) both entrained from No2 Field Salvage Coy to Central Workshops on 14th and 12th Dec 1917 respectively 4568 (D18) – 8 August 1918, Supply Tank with 3 Tank Carrier Company, carried load for Canadian Corps. D14, 8071, D6, 2706, D10, 2705, D11, 2703, D5, 2643 - not recorded again. Refer to the website "Landships" for the full narrative https://sites.google.com/site/landships ... vember1917 CAMBRAI 23RD NOVEMBER 1917 Extracts from the narratives of the excellent website "Landships" The Composite Companies of D Battalion had 14 tanks in action on 23rd November 1917: Nr 1 Composite Company Commander Major JHL Watson 1 Section - Captain JM Martin D2, 8064, m, “Duke Of Cornwall II”, 2/Lt. W.G.J. Wallace D3, 2693, f, “Drone”, 2/Lt. A.S. Heffill D?, 4569, ?, Lt HF Smith, (See WW1 Tank MIDs) 2 Section - Captain E Mackeown D1, 8072, m, “Druid II”, 2Lt RC Baker, D4, 2634, f, “Dryad II”, 2/Lt. S. Knox, D21, 8057, m, “Dreadnought III”, 2/Lt. H.L. Richards, D23, 8067, m, “Dashing Dragoon III”, 2/Lt. E. Hemmings, D27, 2655, f, “Double Dee III”, 2/Lt. FCB Lloyd, D34, 2861, f, “Dalliance“, Lt. J.A. Edwards, No 2 Composite Company Commander Major RF Cooper ? Section - Captain HG Head D44, 8053, m, “Dracula II”, 2/Lt. C.L. Symonds, D46, 8050, m, “Dragon III”, 2/Lt. J.T. Clark, ? Section - Captain G Nixon D42, 8054, m, “Daphne III”, 2/Lt. G.C. Killey, D48, 2621, f, “Diablo II”, 2/Lt. F.J. Tritton, D54, 8048, m, “Diadem II”, 2/Lt. E. Owen, Orders Objective for all tanks: Bourlon Wood Village and Heights Account of Operations 4569 Broke down and failed to start. The other 13 tanks all attacked, Engaged the enemy, Reached their objectives (Bourlon Wood Village and Heights) and Rallied. D21 had its Crew reduced and radiator pierced by AP MG fire; D34 also had its Crew reduced and all guns put out of action by MG fire and splinters. The Narrative of operations in W21s states that only 7 D Battalion tanks reached their final objectives. Two of the remaining tanks had their Lewis guns shot away, one broke down in Bourlon Wood and the remaining three expended all their ammo before rallying. Aftermath D Battalion had twelve tanks ready to be transported to the rear when the German Counter attack started on 30th November. Two unidentified tanks were eventually made ready and committed to action. D Battalions remaining tanks were transported to the rear and handed over to L Battalion in January. The battalion drew new tanks in February. Refer to the website "Landships" for the full narrative https://sites.google.com/site/landships ... dbattalion KAISERSCHLACHT (GERMAN SPRING OFFENSIVE 1918) Extracts from the narratives of the excellent website "Landships" A Company of 4the Battalion had 12 tanks in action March 1918 A Company - Captain NE Mackeown 1 Section Captain JM Martin MC 4063, 2Lt W.G.J. Wallace 8118, 2Lt R.C. Baker 2692, 2Lt A.V. Judges 3 Section - 2Lt CA Karstel 4081, 2Lt C.A. Karstel 4686, 2Lt M. Begard 4605, 2Lt S Leach At midnight on 22nd March the six tanks deployed at Saulcourt, E.15.a.46 in support of 117th infantry Brigade. Arrived at E.14.d.58 and were subject to heavy shell fire, withdrew to E.14.c.78. At 3pm tanks 8118, 4081, 4605 moved down the valley in E.15.c and d. 4063, 2692,4686 all moved onto the high ground in E.21.a and b. 4605 broke down, but fired 500 MG rounds at enemy aircraft. 4081 helped to form a protective screen South of St Jean Wood, broke down but engaged enemy aircraft. The tank was repaired sufficiently to allow it to withdraw at the end of the action. The remaining four tanks came into contact with the enemy massing near Jean Copse (E16b.0.5) and inflicted heavy casualties. The tanks were subject to very heavy shell fire and tanks 4686 and 4063 were set afire by direct hits, in 4686 2Lt Begard and 3 crewmen were killed and two wounded, in 4063 one crewman was killed and 2 wounded. The remaining tanks withdrew to the green line with the infantry, 4605 being towed to J5.d.99 by 8118. All four tanks refilled in Buire Wood overnight. On 23rd 4605’s engine was found to have seized. It was abandoned and set afire at J.15.d.99 4081 had withdrawn to Doingt wood overnight being unfit for action due to worn sprockets on the 22nd. It was joined by the retiring 8118 and 2692 and proceeded with them towards Clery. 4081 became badly ditched and was abandoned and set afire at H.3.b.48 near Maricourt. Both surviving tanks, having spent the night in reserve at J.16.d.76. withdrew to Peronne, thence to Clery. At night the tanks joined a general withdrawal towards Maricourt. 2692 broke down and was abandoned and set afire at H.4.b.57. the tanks Lewis Gun ammunition was placed in tank 8118. On 24th March 8118 reached Maricourt about 9am, thence moved to join the 5th Tank Battalion at Bray arriving about 5pm. At 10.30pm the tank was ordered to take up a position near the Bray-Albert Road to which infantry were to retire. On 25th March the enemy attacked at 11am. 8118 remained in action, under heavy shellfire, for three hours. Tank under orders of OC 1st tank battalion. Tank retired towards Bray and was handed over to 1st Tank Battalion. Refer to the website "Landships" for the full narrative https://sites.google.com/site/landships ... ymarch1918

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Congratulations on a superb collection! It may be worth pointing out that the History of 19th Tank Bn also refers to Captain Albert Baker, who was someone else entirely - he was previously in 7th Tank Bn and won the MC and Bar. Also note that in the account above, Lieut Robert Heptonstall's name is slightly misspelled.

 

Incidentally Reginald Baker's service record confirms his involvement in the battles of March 1918 but suggests he fought with the dismounted Lewis gun teams. 

 

All the best, John

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Thanks John

 

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Fascinating Post. Thanks to All.

The extract from the 19 Bn. War History mentions 2nd Lt L. G. Wright DSM.

This confirms he attended the 50th Anniversary Dinner of the First Tank Battle.

Does anybody know his forenames?

Lieut. Robert Heptonstall also attended the diner.

 

INW

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Great thread with several familiar names.  Thank you for sharing.

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On 20/06/2020 at 18:33, johntaylor said:

Congratulations on a superb collection! It may be worth pointing out that the History of 19th Tank Bn also refers to Captain Albert Baker, who was someone else entirely - he was previously in 7th Tank Bn and won the MC and Bar. Also note that in the account above, Lieut Robert Heptonstall's name is slightly misspelled.

 

Incidentally Reginald Baker's service record confirms his involvement in the battles of March 1918 but suggests he fought with the dismounted Lewis gun teams. 

 

All the best, John

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Interesting to see he was with 12 East Surreys when the Battalion captured Flers on 15 September,  Perhaps it is why he was later accepted into D Battalion.

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That's an interesting idea, but another document in his service record shows he was actually in 10th East Surreys on September 15, 1916.  However he transferred early enough to receive training in the Mark I:

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Thanks for the additional info   so he joined 12th after it had been withdrawn as a battle casualty replacement.

His early tank training shows that instruction at Erin started earlier than I had believed.

 

The other FTC listed are Basil Henriques and Ernie Hunt  MM, both of C Company 

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  • 2 weeks later...

Thank you for all the information you have supplied me with .

I can now add it to the village book of remembrance

regd

john

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