500835 Capt. Chaplain. Percy Baker Australian Imperial Forces 1st Australian Tunnelling Coy. Percy Baker was born in Gosforth, Newcastle-on-Tyne, England. He graduated from Cambridge University with a Batchelor of Arts Degree and during his time there gained military experience with the Officers Training Corps. He then became a Church of England minister. In 1915 he was a Clerk in Holy Orders at St Peter’s Church, Forbes Street, Sydney, N.S.W. and he enlisted with the Chaplain’s Department for service abroad. His height is recorded as 5ft 7½ins, weight 146lbs with a chest measurement 33 and he had good eyesight. His next-of-kin was given as his mother Mrs Henrietta Baker of 29 Sefton Park Road, Bristol, England.
He left Sydney aboard the troopship HMAT A35 Berrima on December 17, 1915 arriving on January 23, 1916 at the port of Suez. Where Chaplain Baker was allotted to No 1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station. On March 9, 1916 transferred from No 1 Australian General Hospital to the A.I.F. Base Camp at Giza then was taken on strength at Ras-el-Tin Convalescent Camp, Seraphim on March 21. On March 27, 1916 Chap Baker proceeded to Alexandria to embark on transport Corsican heading for Marseilles, France and then the Western Front.
Chaplain Baker remained with the 1 Australian C.C.S. until October 18, 1916 when he proceeded to join the 14th Infantry Battalion Headquarters in the field, remaining until A.I.F. orders were received to return to England on February 22, 1917.
On March 1, 1917 the Chaplain, at his own expense, took leave of absence and returned to Australia per transport S.S. Mongara arriving on May 10, 1917. Returning to Sydney, N.S.W. he married Alice G. Stephen and on the 14th of June 1917 he embarked onboard HMAT A20 Hororata to return to duty. The ship docked at Liverpool, England on the 26th of August 1917.
On the 24th of October Chaplain Baker proceeded overseas to France via Southampton marching in two days later at the Australian General Base Depot at Havre.
Captain Chaplain Baker marched out to join the 1st Tunnelling Company reporting for duty on 31st of October 1917. He was granted a promotion to the rank of 3rd Class Chaplain (without extra pay) on the 1st of December 1917.
Captain Chaplain Baker returned to Australia on the transport H.T. City of Exeter embarking from England on the 15th of January 1919 and his appointment was terminated on the 20th of April 1919.
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