1914 Star to Baker 4th Suffolk Regiment Killed at Neuve Chapelle 1915.

A single 1914 star correctly named to 1540 Private Alfred Edgar Baker of the 1/4th Battalion the Suffolk Regiment.
Alfred was born in Leiston, Suffolk 1895. Although his father George and Mother Clara were also born in Suffolk, his other three siblings were born in east London, while George was working there as a Butcher. Before the war Alfred was an Apprentice Turner at R Garret & Sons, a manufacturer of agricultural machinery, steam engines and trolleybuses at their factory at Leiston Works, Suffolk. I do not know if Alfred was serving as a Territorial before the war or he enlisted into the 1/4th battalion, Suffolk regiment at Portman Road, Ipswich in August 1914. He landed at Le Havre on 8th November 1914 and came under command of the Jullundur Brigade of the 3rd (Lahore) Division. The battalion remained with the brigade through the bitter cold winter of 1914, taking their turn on the frontline in the area of Vieille Chapelle, Richebourg-l-Avoue. In February 1915, they were near Le Touret, even occupying trenches at “Dead Cow Farm”. On March 6, the 4th Battalion was in frontline trenches between Richebourg and Neuve Chapelle. The trenches were in a sorry condition; these were not extensive earthworks. In many cases they were simply extended ditches or linked shell holes and the winter weather had hampered any work to improve them. The sides often collapsed, and drainage was practically non-existent, the Suffolks had to contend with long days stood in cold, icy water, frost bite was common. On the 10th March, still part of the Lahore Division, the men of the 4th Suffolks left their billets in the village of Lestrem, along with the rest of the Julladur Brigade and marched a mile to Vieille Chapelle, arriving about an hour later.the front line, so they waited for the order to advance in support of the lead brigades. The first few hours of the battle went well and reports began to arrive that the German first-line trenches had been taken and shortly afterwards it was reported the village church was in British hands. Then around 10.15 a report stated the German second-line trenches had been captured, then at midday, orders were received for the brigade to move to Richebourg and await further orders. Because of the hard fighting they were allowed to rest for the rest of the day, but they were to be ready to reinforce next day at Bois du Biez. It was around here that the famous conference of officers took place in a shell hole, immortalised in a painting by Frederick Roe. The battalion attacked at noon, but this day things were a little different, the resistant offered by the enemy was described as ‘stubborn’, they were stalled by heavy shell and machine gun fire. They held the line until dark when they were ordered back to Neuve Chapelle, still under shell fire they made their way back to the Rue de Berceaux, which incurred many casualties. Even the billets they took a little rest in was hit by shell fire, most of the battalion just escaping before it was destroyed, taking cover in the trenches near Windy Corner.
Shortly before dawn on the 12th March, the battalion was ordered to return to the position, they vacated the evening before. As they moved forward the Germans put down such a heavy barrage of shell fire, throwing the whole brigade into disorder. Under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Cruddas the battalion rallied quickly and was ordered to attack Bois du Biez, here they met the most severe fighting lasting all afternoon and into the night. It was on this day that Private Baker was killed in action. In referring to the part played by the Jullundur brigade in the battle of Neuve Chapelle, the corps commander General Sir John Willcocks said; “This brigade underwent a two-day fiery ordeal, both in support and in moving up to Neuve Chapelle. They had been very exposed and subjected to ceaseless fire from big and light guns, in addition to machine gun and rifles, and nearly 600 casualties resulted.”
1540 Private Alfred Edgar Baker is now remembered with honour at Cabaret Rouge British Cemetery and the Leiston Suffolk War memorial. He was 19 years old.
His medal is in excellent condition and on its original ribbon. It comes with various copied research including Commonwealth war graves certificate, medal index card, medal roll, census information and an image of Leiston war memorial etc.

Code: 29787