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Cenotaph record

William Maximus Baker

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Identity

About

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  • Title
  • Forenames
    William Maximus AWMM
  • Surname
    Baker AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    559059 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    28 November 1906 AWMM Herekino, Northland AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM Oruanui AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs T.T. Baker (wife), c/o Mrs W. Wilson, Papamoa R.D., Te Puke, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Married AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      18 October 1945 AWMM
      'On the night of 9 April 1945, although injured through his rifle exploding, Corporal Baker refused to be evacuated and led his section in the attack across the RIVER SENIO, Italy, in magnificent style, attacking and taking several defended houses. He was finally wounded in an attack against a strongly entrenched position but in spite of this second injury refused to leave his section until ordered by his Platoon Commander. He gave an outstanding exhibition of courage and leadership.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Baker, William Maximus. (Ref. WO 373/14/278). Military Medal. AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes

Last known rank

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  • Last rank

Biographical information

Biographical information

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Death

About death

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  • Death
    13 June 1982 21Bn Assoc. Inc. Records. MS-2008-42.
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in Italy.' (London Gazette, 18 October 1945, p.5102.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/37310/supplements/5102
      Further Reference
    • 'On the night of 9 April 1945, although injured through his rifle exploding, Corporal Baker refused to be evacuated and led his section in the attack across the RIVER SENIO, Italy, in magnificent style, attacking and taking several defended houses. He was finally wounded in an attack against a strongly entrenched position but in spite of this second injury refused to leave his section until ordered by his Platoon Commander. He gave an outstanding exhibition of courage and leadership.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Baker, William Maximus. (Ref. WO 373/14/278). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7355715
      Further Reference
  • References
    • London Gazette AWMM
      MM London Gazette October 1945 p 5102 AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 12 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1943 to 31st December, 1943). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.10 AWMM
    • Veterans' club : the comradeship and memories of Auckland's 21st infantry battalion. Auckland War Memorial Museum : Auckland. Accompanies exhibition held in the Pictorial Gallery, second floor, Auckland War Memorial Museum, 24 March-21 May 2006. AWMM
    • 21 New Zealand Infantry Battalion Association Inc. Records, 1955 - 2005. Auckland War Memorial Museum. MS-2008-42. AWMM
    • 21 Battalion (Official history of New Zealand in the Second World War 1939-45) AWMM

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