Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of John Thomas Baker who was living on his own means, born 1853 in Wigston Magna, Leicestershire, and who died in the 4th quarter of 1897 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district, aged 44 and his wife Mary Ann Baker (nee Gillam, married on the 18th May 1875 in Countesthorpe Parish Church, Leicestershire), born 1852 in Countesthorpe, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 5th December 1852 in Countesthorpe Parish Church. Thomas Gillam was born on the 28th July 1891 in South Wigston, Leicestershire and baptised on the 3rd December 1893 in the Glen Parva and South Wigston Parish Church, his siblings were Mary Jane, a hosiery trade winder, born 27th June 1880 in Countesthorpe and Joseph Gillam., an iron foundry worker, born 1885 in South Wigston and baptised on the 1st March 1885 in Wigston Magna Parish Church, in March 1901 the family home was at 27, Irlam Street, Wigston Magna. In April 1911 Thomas was employed as a boot and shoe trade clicker and was residing in the family home at 51, Countesthorpe Road, Wigston Magna, together with his widowed mother a hosiery trade worker, his married brother Joseph, an iron foundry worker, his wife Lilian Mabel, born 1885 in Wigston Magna and their daughter, Ivy Clarice Lilian, a schoolgirl born 9th July 1905 in South Wigston. Thomas had an older brother William George, born 28th May 1876 in Leicestershire and baptised on the 4th February 1877 in Countesthorpe Parish Church. Thomas was officially registered at birth with the name Thomas Gillam Baker, however the second Christian name has been shown as Gilliam in various documents including his Army service record.
Thomas enlisted/attested into the Territorial Force on the 1st September 1914 in Leicester, and was allotted the service number 2533. He gave his place of birth as South Wigston, Leicestershire and age as 23 years. His marital status was given as unmarried and his trade or calling as shoe clicker.
His medical examination took place in Leicester on the 1st September 1914 and recorded his apparent age as 23 years 90 days, that he was 5 feet 7 inches in height, had a chest measurement of between 32½ and 35 inches, his vision was described as good and his physical development was described as normal.
He gave his next of kin as his sister, Mary Jane Elliott, 51, Countesthorpe Road, South Wigston, Leicester.
During his period of military service, the following events of note occurred: -
Joined. At Leicester. 1/9/14.
Posted. 4th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. Pte. 1/9/14.
Embodied Service commenced. 1/9/14
Appointed. Lance Corporal at Bishops Stortford. 28/2/15.
Embarked. With 1/4th Bn. Leicestershire Regiment. 2/3/15.
Landed. At Le Havre, France. 2/3/15.
Deprived of Lance stripe at Le Havre. 2/3/15.
Appointed. Acting Lance Corporal (unpaid). In the Field. 2/4/15.
Admitted. To No.5 Casualty Clearing Station, Hazebrouck. 4/4/15.
Discharged. From Hospital and re-joins unit. In the Field. 10/4/15.
Killed in action. In the Field. 29/4/15.
Summary of Service.
Home Service. 1/9/14 – 1/3/15. 182 days.
France. 2/3/15 – 29/4/15. 58 days.
Total Service. 240 days.
He was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.
The War Diary records: 29 Apr-15 - At 1.30am Commanding Officer met Brigade Major up at E.1 and with other officers made special reconnaissance with a view to locating enemy’s sap believed to be in neighbourhood of right of E.1 left. No result 2nd Lieutenant’s RUSSELL and DOUGLAS out on similar enterprise, negative information. At 8.00am Adjutant tried to locate work above ground with glasses from FRENCHMANS FARM but none visible, though it looked as if there was commencement of sap from butting out portion of enemy trench opposite right of E.1 on right. Very excellent view obtained from FRENCHMANS FARM of whole of our line and opposing trenches. The line of trees against PICCADILLY where it passes FRENCHMANS FARM appears far safer than way through FARM judging from reports and inspection of these trees. At 11.00am enemy commenced morning shelling, NEUVE EGLISE, COOKER FARM and short of it also 100 to 150 yards north of SP.27. No damage done. At 4.00pm visit from -?- Sanitary Experts, in connection with corpses, carcasses, disposal of. In the evening the Adjutant to E.2., 6, 3, 1 right and left, also listening posts, nothing of note seen, but men obviously feeling much more at home and firing with confidence. Trenches look very different to 3 weeks ago. At 9.00pm report received at Battalion Headquarters that signalling visible in German lines. Signallers could not read signals, probability is that light was in G. captive -?-. Stretcher bearers now meet wounded near new dug outs. Casualties 1 killed, 5 wounded. (1 killed and 2 wounded in PICCADILLY, 1 guide 50 yards south of SP.22., 1 corner of E.1 right, and 1 left of E.1 left). Killed No. 2533 Lance Corporal T. G. BAKER “C” Company, wounded No. 1717 Private W. ASHER “C” Company, No. 564 Private R. CANNING “C” Company, No. 3241 Private L. G. SOUTHWELL “B” Company, No. 2440 Private C. HENSEN “B” Company, No. 2698 Private F. TAYLOR “A” Company.
On Tuesday June 8th 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article – Lance-Corporal THOS. G. BAKER, of the 1st 4th Leicester’s, was killed on April 29th whilst attending to a wounded comrade in the trenches. His relatives reside at 51, Countesthorpe-road, South Wigston. He was 24 years of age.
On Friday June 25th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “THE ROLL OF HONOUR.” The following casualties in the 4th and 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment are reported from General Headquarters and the Base:- OFFICER WOUNDED. 4th Battalion. Dyer-Bennet, Capt. and Adjutant R.S. KILLED. 4th Battalion. Baker, 2533, Lance-Corpl. T. G. 5th Battalion. Beadman, 2566, Private C.T. Clarke, 1956. Private D. Keeling, 3038, Private T.G. WOUNDED. 4th Battalion. Jones, 2593, Lance-Corporal G.J. Shipman, 1280, Lance-Corporal W. Walker, 2346, Private H. 5th Battalion. Dakin, 2173, Private E. Lord, 1474, Private S.D. Minckley, 1776, Lance-Corporal G.