Reprinted from The Packet, May 5, 2016
by Lester Green
lies in an unmarked grave near Cambrai, France
Esau Baker, the son of Caleb and Elizabeth Baker of Fox Harbour, was born around 1886. He married Sarah Elizabeth Langer, daughter of Alfred and Magdalene (Balsom) Langer at Shoal Harbour United Church on Nov. 2, 1910.
Esau and Sarah had two children, Nellie born in 1911, Clarenville and Pearl in 1915, Bishop’s Falls. Esau was employed in the wood operation at Grand Falls.
In the spring of 1917, Esau boarded a train to St. John’s from Grand Falls. He was following in the steps of his younger brother George who had enlisted in April, 1915, and his cousin, George Gilbert Baker who signed on March 3, 1917.
On April 27, Private Baker signed his attestation papers and assigned the regimental number of 3696. He was posted to F Company, completed his basic training and embarked aboard the ship SS Florziel on May 19 to Halifax. From there he travelled overseas.
On July 15, Sarah informed the military that she had moved from Bishop Falls to her home at Gooseberry Cove and that her allotment payments be sent to Gooseberry Cove.
Upon his arrival in England, Private Baker travelled to Newton Park School, Ayr, Scotland to join the 2nd battalion of the Newfoundland Regiment.
He embarked for the British Expeditionary Forces from Southampton on Nov. 6, 1917 and disembarked at Rouen, France one day later.
He joined the 1st Battalion Newfoundland Regiment seven days later and saw action on the frontline. From Nov. 14 to Dec. 2, he was an active soldier at the Battle of Cambrai.
Military observers claim that Dec. 3, 1917 was one of the fiercest days of fighting for the Newfoundland Regiment. German artillery was landing with deadly accuracy. By noon, Brigadier H. Nelson, 88th Brigade Commander reported the “South Wales Bordveres and the Newfoundland Regiment almost wiped out.” (Frank Gogos, Royal Newfoundland Regiment in the Great War)
It was during this battle that Private Baker received his fatal wounds. He was one of thirty eight young men killed or died of wounds that mortal day.
Private Esau Baker’s burial report was completed by Reverend Keary who filed the official report of death on Dec. 12.
A telegraph dated Dec 18 was sent by Militia at St. John’s informing Adjutant Brown (Salvation Army Officer) at Grand Falls that Private Baker, husband of Sarah Baker, Bishop’s Falls, was killed in action December 3, 1917. Adjutant Brown was to proceed and inform the family.
He delivered the following message from a telegraph to Sarah, a wife of a soldier who never wanted to receive this dreadful message: “Regret to inform you Record Office, London, today reports No. 3696, Private Esau Baker, husband of Sarah Baker, Bishop Falls, was killed in action December 3…”
Sarah was now left with burden of raising two children without the assistance of a husband and the financial means to do so.
An extract from German Official list forwarded through Geneva Red Cross on Mar. 3, 1918 reads: “Previously reported Killed in Action 3-12-17. Buried in the Cemetery of Saranvilles.”
Both the Evening Telgram and St. John’s Daily News carried articles on June 22, 1920 in which the Militia Department disputes the burial sites of men that were killed that day. The article in the St. John’s Daily News read: “…these men were reported by the Germans to have been buried by Lower Alsatian regiment at Seranvilles, five miles from Marcoing and four miles from south, southeast of Cambrai. Mayor Nangle reports the foregoing and states the inhabitants of Seranvilles know nothing of such burials….”
The exact location of Pte Esau Baker burial is still a mystery.
Sarah received a Pay Voucher of $47.81 to settle the estate of her late husband on June 13, 1919.
Private Baker’s wife received two medals Victory Medal and British War Medal on Sep. 11, 1921. She also received the Next of Kin Memorial Plague, Scroll and King’s Message that was given to all fallen soldiers during the Great War. The items were intended to give the next of kin a tangible memorial of a brave life given for others in the Great War. Her husband’s had given 221 days of service for his King and Country and now lies in an unknown grave in France.
Royal Newfoundland Regiment Military Service Record
Private Esau Baker #3696
Apr. 27, 1917: Enlisted and was assigned to F Company. He listed that he was married with three children and living at Bishop’s Falls.
May 15, 1917: Allotment to be deducted and payable to Mrs. Esau (Sarah) Baker of 60 cents per diem.
May 19, 1917: Embarked St. John’s S.S. Florizel to Halifax, Nova Scotia.
July 15, 1917: Letter by Sarah Baker to Militia concerning her family moving back to Bishop’s Falls from Gooseberry Cove.
Nov. 6, 1917: Embarked Southampton for British Expeditionary Forces and disembarked Rouen, France one day later.
Nov. 14, 1917: Joined the 1st Battalion of Newfoundland Regiment.
Dec. 3, 1917: Killed in action.
Dec. 13, 1917: Field Service report on death of soldier.
Dec. 17, 1917: Burial report by Reverend Keary who was attached to 17th Field Ambulance.
Dec. 18, 1917: Telegraph to Mrs. Sarah Baker informing of death of Private Esau Baker.
Dec. 18, 1917: Telegraph to Adjutant Brown concerning death of Private Baker.
Dec. 21, 1917: Letter to Postmaster Gooseberry Cove allotment money to Sarah Baker.
Dec. 21, 1917: Letter to Mrs. Sarah Baker concerning allotment.
Mar.14, 1918: Buried in the Cemetery of Seranvilles, France.
Sep. 7, 1918: Letter to Mrs. Baker concerning Identity Disc.
June 13, 1919: Letter to Mrs. Sarah Baker King concerning settlement of estate for husband, Pte Esau Baker
June 13, 1919: Pay Voucher for estate of Pte. E. Baker.
July 23, 1919: Letter to Hon. A. H. Hickman concerning death benefits on behalf of two sons by Caleb Baker.
Aug. 6, 1919: Letter Board of Pension concerning letter from Mr. Caleb Baker.
August 7, 1919: Letter to Mr. Caleb Baker concerning settlement of death benefits for his sons.
Sep.19, 1919: Letter to Mr. Caleb Baker concerning Pension
Sep. 19, 1919: Letter to Board of Pension and Commission
May 31, 1920: Disc belonging to Pte Baker
Sep. 11, 1921: Receipt for two medals Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Jan. 5, 1922: Letter to Militia concerning Memorial Plaque from Sarah Baker King.
Jan. 9, 1923: Telegraph that parcel undelivered to Sarah Baker and the Postmistress try delivery to Sarah Baker King.
Jan. 12, 1923: Registered parcel delivered to Sarah Baker King.
Total Service 221 days