Description
A fine Great War Trio to the Light Horse who was on strength with the 4th Machine Gun Squadron of the 4th Light Horse Brigade at the time of the celebrated Charge of Beersheba – this action which should be the cornerstone of Australian historical military identity in place of the failed Gallipoli Campaign – Gallipoli was a British-led defeat, Beersheba was an Australian-led victory. Medals well preserved, generally near Extremely Fine, court mounted for display. Sold with service summary by Neil Smith (Mostly Unsung).
In recent times, similar WWI groups to those likely chargers have sold: a WWI Trio to Private Roy Charles Dennis sold for the equivalent of AUD$5835.44, and a WWI Pair to Morgan Scannell for the equivalent of AUD$2693.28 – each group was sold through Noonans as part of the Warwick Cary collection and would hold some premium due to the pedigree.
1914-15 Star, impressed “658 PTE A. BAKER. 12/L.H.RGT. A.I.F.”
British War Medal, impressed “658 DVR. A. BAKER. 12 L.H.R: A.I.F.”
Victory Medal, impressed “658 DVR. A. BAKER. 12 L.H.R. A.I.F.”
Albert Reginald Baker, born in Sydney, New South Wales on the 5th of September 1892, was a resident of Chatswood, Sydney and a labourer and storeman by trade in his early adult life. With prior service for two and a half years with the New South Wales Machine Gun Section, 7th Lancers on part time duty, Baker was quick to attest at his local enlistment centre in Sydney for the Australian Imperial Force on the 29th of March 1915, enlisting as Trooper 658 of the Machine Gun Section of the Light Horse.
- Embarked Sydney on the 13th June 1915 aboard H.M. Transport ‘Suevic’ with the 12th Light Horse Regiment, disembarked at Suez on the 13th
- Embarked for Gallipoli aboard H.M. Transport ‘Marquette’ on the 25th August 1915
- 29th August 1915 absorbed into 1st Light Horse Regiment
- Posted to anti-aircraft section 10th November 1915
- Evacuated Gallipoli, disembarked at Alexandria aboard H.M. Transport ‘Hororata’ 27th December 1915
- Taken on Strength to 12th Light Horse Regiment, 4thH. Brigade 23rd August 1916, posted to Ferry Post Defences
- Transferred to 4th Machine Gun Squadron, 4th Light Horse Brigade 28th February 1917, taking part in the operations in the Sinai and Palestine
Baker was on strength with the 4th M.G. Squadron in October of 1917 which saw the Light Horses’ major action of the first World War, the organized attack towards the Jerusalem to Jaffa enemy line and the celebrated Charge of Beersheba. The mounted charge was comprised of the 4th and 12th Light Horse Regiments, with each regiment supported by a subsection of the 4th Machine Gun Squadron. Concurrently to this, the 11th Light Horse Regiment was employed in a supporting role, providing flank protection and was too widely dispersed to take part in the main charge.
“At a mile distant their thousand hooves were stuttering thunder, coming at a rate that frightened a man – they were an awe-inspiring sight, galloping through the red haze – knee to knee and horse to horse – the dying sun glinting on bayonet points…” Trooper 358 Ion Llewellyn Idriess, 5th Light Horse Regiment
Australian historian Henry Gullett explains, the Light Horse’s charge of Beersheba was spearheaded by the 4th Light Horse Regiment with squadrons of the 12th behind, forming a front of three lines 300-500 yards apart. The 4th L.H.R., with bayonets in hand, lead a pure cavalry charge of 6600 yards, advancing with such swiftness, in conjunction with supporting artillery fire, that casualties were limited despite the heavy rifle, machine gun fire and bombardment they received. Although some of the 12th L.H.R. dismounted to join the 4th in the enemy trenches, including both ‘B’ and ‘C’ Squadron commanders, many remained mounted and continued around to the city, led by Captains Rodney Keith Robey of ‘B’ Squadron and Jack Rupert Cyril Davies of ‘C’ Squadron. Davies led the men of ‘C’ Squadron through the main street of Beersheba, meeting ‘B’ Squadron on the northern outskirts where they captured an Ottoman column attempting to flee, then moved to the eastern trenches and captured 60 Ottoman men trying to escape. In total, the Australians captured 1,148 prisoners, 10 field guns, four machine guns, and, more importantly, they secured over 400,000 litres of water.
Following the charge, Baker was admitted to the 14th Australian General Hospital at Abbassia on the 27th December 1917 with dysentery.
- Returned to Australia, embarking from Suez aboard H.M. Transport ‘Ulysses’ on the 15th February 1918, disembarked at Sydney on the 20th March
- Discharged from the Australian Imperial Force on the 22nd June 1918 as medically unfit
With the onset of the Second World War, Albert Baker attested for home service at the Willoughby enlistment centre, Sydney on the 5th October 1939, enlisting as N68479 of the 2nd Garrison Battalion. Baker’s WWII service was short, with several incidents of being absent without leave and drunkenness, and was eventually discharged on the 21st February 1940 and being entitled to no medals.