William Baker (footballer)
Encyclopedia
William James Baker was an English professional footballer who played 202 games in the Southern League
and FA Cup
for Plymouth Argyle
between 1909 and 1915. He played as a wing half
.
During the First World War, Baker served in the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
– the so-called "Footballers' Battalion" – and rose to the rank of sergeant
. He was awarded the Military Medal
. He was killed in action on 22 October 1916 at Serre during the Battle of the Somme, and is commemorated at Sucrerie Military Cemetery at Colincamps
.
Southern Football League
The Southern League is an English football competition featuring semi-professional and amateur clubs from the South West, South Central and Midlands of England and South Wales...
and FA Cup
FA Cup
The Football Association Challenge Cup, commonly known as the FA Cup, is a knockout cup competition in English football and is the oldest association football competition in the world. The "FA Cup" is run by and named after The Football Association and usually refers to the English men's...
for Plymouth Argyle
Plymouth Argyle F.C.
Plymouth Argyle Football Club is an English professional football club, based in Plymouth, Devon, that plays in Football League Two.Since becoming professional in 1903, the club has won five Football League titles, five Southern League titles and one Western League title. The 2009–10 season was the...
between 1909 and 1915. He played as a wing half
Wing half
In association football, the position of wing half or wing half back) was popularly used in the late nineteenth and first half of the 20th centuries...
.
During the First World War, Baker served in the 17th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment
Middlesex Regiment
The Middlesex Regiment was a regiment of the British Army. It was formed in 1881 as part of the Childers Reforms when the 57th and 77th Regiments of Foot were amalgamated with the county's militia and rifle volunteer units.On 31 December 1966 The Middlesex Regiment was amalgamated with three...
– the so-called "Footballers' Battalion" – and rose to the rank of sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
. He was awarded the Military Medal
Military Medal
The Military Medal was a military decoration awarded to personnel of the British Army and other services, and formerly also to personnel of other Commonwealth countries, below commissioned rank, for bravery in battle on land....
. He was killed in action on 22 October 1916 at Serre during the Battle of the Somme, and is commemorated at Sucrerie Military Cemetery at Colincamps
Colincamps
Colincamps is a commune in the Somme department in Picardie in northern France.-Geography:Colincamps is situated on the D129 and D4129 crossroads, some northeast of Amiens.-Population:-External links:*...
.