Francis and Joseph, who lived in Brunswick Road in Plymouth, had 11 children. Sadly they endured the loss of four of their children. When the First World War was declared in August 1914 - William, Alfred and Reginald Baker.
Known as Billy, William who was born in 1882, played local football with Green Waves from 1901 to 1905. He joined Plymouth Argyle and became a member of the first team in 1909. Billy made 193 league appearances and played in nine cup matches. The last time he played with the team was in May 1915 - only a few days before he left his home city for active service.
Billy served with the Middlesex Regiment’s 17th Battalion which was nicknamed the Footballers Battalion.
Sergeant William Baker was awarded the Military Medal in June 1916 but he died in the October of that same year.
His brother Alfred Stanley, born in 1884, enlisted in the Royal Navy in 1903. Stoker Petty Officer Alfred Baker’s body was never found after HMS Tornado hit a mine on 23 December 1917. There was only one survivor out of 253 crew members.
Reginald John, the youngest born in 1896, served with the Devonshire Regiment during 1916 and 1917. Lance Corporal Reginald Baker was transferred to the Hampshire Regiment’s 1st Battalion. He died of his wounds at Boulogne on 15 May 1918.
