Four: Gunner J. P. Baker, Royal Navy

Queen’s South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (A.B., H.M.S. Racoon); 1914-15 Star (Gnr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Gnr., R.N.) contact marks, nearly very fine and better (4) £200-240

John Pitt Baker was born in Portsea, Hampshire on 2 February 1881. He entered the Royal Navy as a Boy 2nd Class on 8 July 1896, being advanced to Boy 1st Class in February 1897. Serving on the Racoon, February 1898-July 1901, he was promoted to Ordinary Seaman in February 1899 and Able Seaman in May 1899. He was advanced to Leading Seaman whilst based at Pembroke in August 1901, promoted to Petty Officer 2nd Class when at Pembroke in June 1904 and Petty Officer 1st Class when on Albion in September 1905. Baker was passed for Gunner on 9 January 1906 and promoted to Acting Gunner in January 1909, being confirmed in that rank in November the same year. He served as such in the Great War, including service aboard Torpedo Boat N.18. Baker was appointed a Commissioned Gunner on 8 November 1919. He retired from the service in 1931 and died on 9 March 1934. Sold with copied service papers and copied research.