FAMILY LIFE

Born on 18^th January 1892 at Maclean, Leslie Lawrence Roywood Baker was one of 4 sons of George and Hannah Elizabeth (Boucher) Baker. Leslie’s parents were married in 1888 and throughout their married life several children were born in and around the Lower Clarence. From these birthplaces it is inferred that George left the family property and struck out on his own taking work where he could. The Clarence River Advocate, dated Tuesday 8 Nov 1898 stated that George was struck by a falling tree at Terranora and sustained injuries to the spine and three broken ribs. He was treated at Lismore then underwent six years of hospitalisation at Rookwood and Liverpool State hospitals in Sydney before dying on 2 Feb 1904, aged 43 years, and 11 months, and leaving a widow and several children to mourn his loss. His mother married Karl Hein in Murwillumbah in 1913. Leslie’s brother, Hedley enlisted on the same day & James only 3 weeks later, on 22^nd February.

APPPPLICATION

Leslie was single labourer, eager to do his bit. He travelled to Brisbane on 1^st February 1916 to complete his application which showed his next of kin as his mother, Hannah, of Tweed Heads. His medical showed he was 24 years old, 5ft 8 inches tall (1.72m), weighed 145 lbs (66kgs), with a dark complexion, brown eyes & black hair. His eyesight was good. Leslie was Presbyterian.  He was enlisted as a private into the 3rd Pioneer Battalion, C Company, the same as his brothers, with service No 732

3^RD PIONEER BATTALION

The 3rd Pioneer Battalion was an Australian infantry and light engineer unit raised during World War I as part of the Australian Imperial Force (AIF). Formed in March 1916 in Victoria, it was assigned to the 3rd Division and served on the Western Front in France and Belgium. Pioneer battalions were unique in that they combined infantry combat skills with light engineering capabilities, such as constructing trenches, defensive positions, and maintaining roads and railways. The 3rd Pioneer Battalion's legacy is marked by its versatility and dedication

AUSTRALIAN TRAINING CAMP

Now training for Hedley, James, Leslie & the new recruits began. Firstly, the men received their vaccinations for smallpox, rabies & plague, then a recruit had to be inducted into military forms of discipline, command, and order. This was partially achieved through a program of basic training carried and, in a sense, was maintained for a long as a man was in the service. It involved marching and drilling with the rifle, cleaning and caring for personal equipment and being supervised and inspected in ways quite different to ordinary civilian life. For example, no boots should be allowed to get in a bad state of wear but must be sent to the bootmaker without delay for repair. Men who were found with hair long and unshaven had to have a haircut and shave

Secondly, after basic training there followed the far more serious exercise of turning a man into a fighting soldier at least partially prepared for the kind of warfare he was about to experience overseas. The topics and exercises in the syllabus of training were a world away from their former lives and included daily physical training, entrenching, wiring, firing rifle grenades, firing the Lewis light machine gun, dealing with gas attack, using hand grenades, using the bayonet, and the routines to be followed in the trenches.

This training was then put into practice during what were called ‘Field Days,’ when men would practice using the skills they had acquired in mock attacks both by day and by night. How well men had learnt to use their weapons, in cooperation with each other in training, would be tested in the harsh reality of the front line. Training would take several months

VOYAGE OVERSEAS

Hedley, James, Leslie & their unit embarked from Melbourne, Victoria, on board HMAT A62 Wandilla on 6 June 1916. They thought it was the start of a new adventure- for many it was their first time so far away from home. However, after some time at sea the biggest problem turned out to be boredom. Attempts at breaking up the boredom, apart from the regular drill, varied. Shipboard activities included regular church parades and concerts. Troops engaged in lifebelt drill; a cookhouse on deck; soldiers on fatigues peeling potatoes 'spud bashing'; going to the dentist; barber, pay day; soldiers cleaning personal equipment; medical inspection. Sports and recreation included boxing, deck quoits, draughts. Also, the commanding officer's morning inspection; kit inspections; submarine drill; recreation such as the on deck 'open air' library, deck billiards, pillow fighting and card games including Nap. As well, conditions on the ships were cramped and the risk of illness was constant. 

DISCIPLINED- ADMONISHED

While docked in Cape Town, South Africa, Hedley, Leslie & James went absent without leave on 3^rd July 1916 for which they admonished & forfeited 1 day’s pay each

ENGLISH TRAINING CAMP

They disembarked at Plymouth on 26^th July 1917 and marched into the English training camp. They had already completed their basic training in Australia but over many more tough months, in the camp, the volunteers left their old lives farther behind. They began their training with physical fitness exercises, they were taught individual and unit discipline, how to follow commands, how to march, some basic field skills and how to safely handle his weapons.  Later, as soldiers specialised in a particular area (for example, machine gunner or signaller) they would be trained in specific skills and would take part in practice manoeuvres and sham fights. They would spend many hours learning training in the use of bayonets, anti- gas training and guard duty along with lectures on camouflage or trench warfare and much more

TAKEN ON STRENGTH 24^TH NOVEMBER 1916

Hedley, Leslie & James were taken on strength on 24^th November 1916 in France. Between November 1916 and May 1917, the 3rd Pioneer Battalion was actively engaged on the Western Front. They undertook various tasks combining infantry and light combat engineering roles. These included constructing defensive positions, digging trenches, maintaining roads, and preparing barbed wire defences. They were also involved in battlefield clearance and supporting infantry operations

NOVEMBER 1916 TO MAY 1917

Between November 1916 and May 1917, the 3rd Pioneer Battalion was actively engaged on the Western Front. They undertook various tasks combining infantry and light combat engineering roles. These included constructing defensive positions, digging trenches, maintaining roads, and preparing barbed wire defences. They were also involved in battlefield clearance and supporting infantry operations

THE BATTLE OF MESSINES JUNE 1917

By June the 3rd was fighting in Belgium, leading up to the Battle of Messines. The primary objective was to secure the strategically important Wytschaete Messines Ridge, the high ground south of Ypres which in turn would benefit the allies to launch a larger campaign east of Ypres. The Australian involvement came under Lieutenant General Sir. Alexander Godley’s II Anzac Corps, which included the 3rd Australian Division. This Battle was launched on 7 Jun 1917 and exemplified tactical success through careful planning and firepower.

The 3rd Pioneer Battalion played a significant role in the Battle. As part of the Australian Imperial Force's 3rd Division, they were tasked with essential engineering and support duties. Their responsibilities included digging trenches, constructing defensive positions, maintaining roads, and ensuring the supply of water and other resources to the front lines

The Battle of Messines was a meticulously planned operation aimed at capturing the Messines Ridge in Belgium. The 3rd Pioneer Battalion's efforts were crucial in supporting the attacking infantry by enhancing mobility and fortifications.

WOUNDED IN ACTION- 27^TH JUNE 1917

One of the casualties of this battle was Leslie who was wounded in action with a gunshot wound to his right leg & buttock severe

HOSPITALISATION ENGLAND

On 3^rd July 1917 he was transported to England and admitted to the 2^nd Australian General Hospital in Wimereux.  He was transferred to the 3^rd Australian Hospital on the 20^th July. On 26^th July he was marched into the command depot at Weymouth. This depot received men who are likely to be unfit for duty for a period longer than three months.

GOING HOME 30^th January 1918

Leslie did not recover well enough to return to duty and would be returning to Australia when he was well enough.  This did not happen until 30 January 1918 on the Euripides, disembarking on 21^st March 1918. He was discharged on 27^th April 1918.

HOME LIFE

Leslie married Isabella Ida Carlson in 1934. He died on 1^st February 1981, aged 89, in Ballina. He is buried in East Ballina Cemetery

FOR HIS SERVICE

For his service, John was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, and the Victory Medal

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