A fine Great War India North West Frontier Tochi Rebellion 1915, Third Afghanistan War 1919 and long service group awarded to Lance Corporal W.H. Baker, Royal Sussex Regiment, who served under an alias, his original name being Albert Budd, who deserted in 1905 at the beginning of his service, and then saw service with the 1st Battalion on the North West Frontier during the Tochi Rebellion in the period from August to October 1915, before going on to complete over 21 years service.
Group of 5: 1914-1915 Star; (L-8187 DMR: W.H. BAKER. R.SUSS:R.); British War Medal and Victory Medal; (L-8187 PTE. W. BAKER. R.SUSS.R.); India General Service Medal 1908-1935, 1 Clasp: Afghanistan N.W.F. 1919; (L-13431 DRUMR. W. BAKER. R.SUSS.R.); Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal, GVR Fm. bust; (6392228 PTE. W.H. BAKER. R.SUSS.R.)
Condition: slight contact wear and polishing, overall Very Fine.
William Henry Baker, he served under an alias, his real name being one Albert Budd, was born in Brighton, Sussex, and having worked as a labourer and seen service with the 3rd Militia Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, then attested for service with the British Army at Chichester on 17th February 1905, joining as a Private (No.8187) the Royal Sussex Regiment.
Baker then deserted on 10th June 1905, but rejoined a month later, and having been tried and convicted of desertion, was sentenced to imprisonment and 25 days hard labour on 24th July 1905, with all of his prior service forfeited. Returned to duty on 17th August 1905, on 9th October 1905 he was posted to the 2nd Battalion, and then sent out to Malta on 10th February 1906. Posted to Crete on 30th April 1906, and then to India on 1st February 1907, on this date he transferred to the 1st Battalion.
Appointed to Drummer on 4th January 1910, Baker was in India on the outbreak of the Great War, he then saw service during the operations on the North West Frontier during the Tochi Rebellion from 17th August 1915, in the operations which lasted through to 10th October 1915. Remaining in India for the duration of the war, Baker was then posted back to the North West Frontier for service during the Third Afghanistan War, being present on operations from 6th May 1919. Admitted to hospital on 9th August 1919, he was then posted home from India on 22nd September 1919, and posted to the Depot.
Posted as a Drummer back to the 1st Battalion on 13th February 1920, he then saw service with the Army of the Rhine on occupation duty in Germany from 3rd March 1920. Posted back home to the Depot on 7th January 1922, Baker was permitted to extend his service to complete 21 years on 20th February 1922, and was appointed to Lance Corporal on 10th July 1922. Permitted to extend his service beyond 21 years on 9th January 1925, Baker was eventually discharged on 25th August 1927, having been awarded the Army Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in Army Order No.388 of 1924. Confirmed as his full entitlement.