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Cpl. Frank Baker MM, DSM.
British Army 10th (Hull) Btn. East Yorkshire Regiment
from:Hull, Yorkshire
Frank Baker was my grandfather., he was assigned to the 10th (1st Hull) Battalion, East Yorkshire Regiment. He was subsequently attached to the 92nd Trench Mortar Battery, 31st Division. I have a record of him being treated at the No. 11 Casualty Clearing Station for synovitis of the knee after having spent 9 months in the field. Transferred from sick convoy on 4/1/1917, discharged back to duty on 10/1 1917.
He participated in the actions at Dullens Citadel (19/6/16 to 13/8/16), Gezaincourt (14/8/16 to 9/10/16), and Varennes (10/10/16 to 14/5/17). He was awarded the Military Medal for the part he played helping to delay the German advance at the Battle of the Lys. On the 12th of April 1918, his battalion was fighting a rearguard action, and a party was detailed to hold up the Germans until the battalion placed itself in a stronger position. The movement was carried out successfully. Corporal Baker was with 2nd Lt. Montgomery, who was awarded the Military Cross for his actions that day. They were the only two left in the party. It was a great and glorious deed in which Corporal Baker played a very worthy part. Lord Mayor Presentation of MM to Corporal Baker [clipping from Hull Mail] . Finally, although completely surrounded by the Germans, 2nd Lt. Montgomery and Cpl. Baker were able to make it back to their own lines.
Later that year he had another lucky escape. He was witnessing a demonstration on anti-aircraft firing using the Stokes 3 inch mortar, the weapon which the unit used. 2nd Lt. Montgomery was also present. During the demonstration, a mortar shell exploded prematurely killing several people including the commanding officer, Capt. D. Oakes. My grandfather was standing 3 feet behind the man conducting the demonstration (Sgt. F.J. Russell), who was killed when the shell he was placing in the mortar exploded, but whose body shielded the brunt of the blast from my grandfather.
