Identity
Title
Forenames
Albert Harry AWMM
Surname
Baker AWMM
Ingoa
Also known as
Bert AWMM
Service number
49307 AWMM
Gender
Iwi
Hapū
Waka
Rohe
Religion
Civilian life
Birth
Date of birth
Place of birth
Birth notes
Address before enlistment
Unknown AWMM Opononi, Hokianga, New Zealand AWMM
Post war occupation
Next of kin on embarkation
Mrs Ella Baker (mother), Opononi, Hokianga, New Zealand AWMM
Relationship status
Service
Capture details
Days interned
Liberation date
Liberation Repatriation
POW liberation details
POW serial number
Biographical information
He was the son of Francis James Baker and Ella Baker nee Webster.
Brother of Francis Harold Baker (Sergeant, 1st NZEF), Fairlie Nene Baker (Gunner, 1st NZEF) and Montrose Charles Baker ( Sergeant, killed in action, Forli, Italy).
Nephew of Robert Baker (1st NZEF, Rifleman) and William Baker (Private, 1st NZEF).
The following is a letter from Albert Harry Baker to his mother.
"Oct 17th 1943
49307
L/Bdr Baker ,A.H.
H/Q 37 Btn
17 Field Regiment
2nd NZEF IP
NZA PO 150
Overseas
Dear Mum
Pleased to receive your letter the other day as we are enjoying one of our many wet days. Being Sunday leaves the day open for writing. Sunday is usually our washing day and what a job it is trying to get our clothes dry. There is plenty of mud and water in our midst which does not help to improve our moral on this particular tropical island. The jungle consists of coconut palms and various other tress with very thick undergrowth. There has been a lot of talk of the coconut bombers of the Pacific and today we are bombed with them which certainly meets with success when falling from a fair height. Regards to Tojo and his gang we have not been worried so much by them lately. At present they are being worried very much by our allies both by sea and air and it appears their airforce is gradually geting weaker which is a great blow in island warfare.
In the Pacific there are hundreds of islands most of them were occupied by the Japs twelve months ago. Today is a different story but there is still too many in their hands to see the end of this struggle.
Mosquitoes here are not very annoying, but they are of the malaria type and we have to take all precautions gainst contracting the disease. Flies are not very plentiful but very persistant and will not take no for an answer. Snakes and other crawley creatures live in the jungle occassionally paying us a visit in our tents but after a while we become quite acquainted. i I don't know how Phyl would survive in this part of the world. I have been a sick man the last week, one of the many complaints we contract. I am all right now but lost a stone. All the weight I put on when in N.Z. has gone, so now I can look forward to putting it on again when I get back. I am pleased to hear Lavilie has a good crushing contract. Only wish I was there to help him out instead of wasting my time on these islands. I saw Bill Yakas the other day. Looks fit. He is a very happy soldier. The first day his gun went into action it brought down a Jap plane. Well mum, it has turned out fine so had better do some washing. I have not yet received your parcel but there is time yet. Any parcel of eats will be much appreciated here.
Love to Phyl, regards to Pop and much love for yourself.
Bert" AWMM
Death
Death
Date of death
Age at death
Place of death
Cause of death
Death notes
Cemetery
Pakanae Cemetery, Cemetery Road, Opononi, Northland, New Zealand AWMM
Cemetery name
Grave reference
Obituary
Memorial name
Memorial reference
Roll of Honour
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Albert Harry Baker
Processing
Sources
External links
Documents
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1942). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 7 (Embarkations from 1st January, 1942 to 31st March, 1942). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
p.11 AWMM - Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1945). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 9 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1942 to 31st December, 1942). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
p.18 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
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