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Auction: 24112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 350

Pair: Lance-Serjeant H. Baker, 1st Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps

India General Service 1854-95, 2 clasps, Hazara 1891, Samana 1891 (4637 Corpl. H. Baker. 1st Bn K.R.Rif. C.); India General Service 1895-1908, 1 clasp, Relief of Chitral 1895 (4637 Corpl. H. Baker. 1st Bn K. R. Rifle Corps), contact wear to rank on first, contact marks, very fine overall (2)

Herbert Baker was born on 18 March 1868 at Bath, Somerset, the son of Frederick William Baker of 'Dulce Domum', Waldeck Road, Ealing, London. Enlisting with the King's Royal Rifle Corps in London on 18 August 1888 he was advanced Lance Corporal the next year and Corporal the year at that, the rank he held when he was posted to India on 25 November 1890. Around this time Baker suffered a serious fracture, falling from a cart in 1894, despite that he was found fit for service when the Battalion mobilised the next year.

They formed part of the Reserve Brigade for the Hazara Field Force in the Spring of 1891, during which time they also served under the Miranzai Expeditionary Force entitling themselves to both the Hazara and Samana clasps for 1891. They were called upon again for service when British troops assembled to relieve the fort at Chitral in 1895, the K.R.R.C. formed part of the 1st Brigade under Lieutenant-General Sir Robert Low which forced their passage through the Malakand Pass.

The next year Baker returned to Britain, transferring to the Army Reserve on 1 May 1896. He returned to the colours on 17 August 1898, being posted to the 4th Battalion, King's Royal Rifle Corps. With this formation he saw service in South Africa during the Second Anglo-Boer War (Medal), being advanced Lance-Serjeant in 30 May 1901 and joining the war on 11 December 1901.

He was discharged at Harrismith District on 20 February 1903 and enlisted into the Royal Garrison Regiment with the service number 6978 at Winchester the next month on 18 March. Baker was recalled for service yet again on 12 April 1915 with the number 18892 as part of the Essex Regiment (Medal). He was appointed Colour Sergeant that same day but was notably not called up for General Service but for Home Service only.

Serving as a Clerk he was appointed Warrant Officer Class II with No.2 Record Office Warley in June 1918. He remained in service until 28 May 1920 having volunteered for an extra year, Baker was: 'Brought to the notice of the Secretary of State for War for valuable services rendered in connection with the War' (War Office Communique 4 November 1918 refers); sold together with copied service papers.

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Sold for
£190

Starting price
£170