Born: 1886, Idle
Died: 25 April 1917
Buried: NKG
Address: 24 The Bank, Eccleshill
Parents: Edwin & Sarah, nee Hutton
Spouse: Annie, nee Smith
Siblings: Five brothers, three sisters
Occupation: Labourer
Organisations/clubs:
Military
Rank: Pte
Medals/awards:
Rolls of Honour: Eccleshill Park; Arras Memorial
Children: Jack
Regiment: Duke of Wellington’s West Riding
Benjamin Baxter
Benjamin Baxter was born in 1886
in Idle the son of Edwin and Sarah,
nee Hutton.
By 1891 Edwin and Sarah and their
eight children were living at 1 Back
Lane and by 1901 the family had
moved to 31 High Street, Idle and
another child had been born.
Benjamin at 14 years of age was
working as a factory hand in
worsted. Sarah died in 1908 aged
59 years.
On the 23rd December 1911 at
Holy Trinity Church, Idle Benjamin
married Annie Smith 22 years of
age and living at 28 Highdale View,
Idle. Benjamin was 24 years of age,
a labourer and living at 4 High
Street Place, Idle. A child, Jack,
was born in 1914.
Benjamin enlisted on the 10th of
August 1916 as Gunner 23563 in
the 9th Battalion of the Duke of
Wellington (West Riding
Regiment) which came under the
17th (Northern) Division.
His regiment took part at Arras in
the 1st and 2nd battles of the
Scarpe in April 1917 and Benjamin
was reported missing on the 25th of
April, death presumed.
His mother appealed through the
Bradford Daily Telegraph for any
information concerning him but
there were no details forthcoming.
He was 31 years of age.
Benjamin is remembered on the
Arras Memorial which records the
names of the men who fell in the
Battles of Arras from the spring of
1916 until 7th August 1918 and
who have no known grave.
He left his effects to his widow
Annie who received £2.11.10d on
the 13th April 1918 and a War
Gratuity of £3.0.0d on the 22nd
November 1919.
Researched and written by Jean Britteon,
to whom many thanks.
