The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (1268) Telegraphist Cyril Lefroy Baker, HMAS AE1, First World War.

The Last Post Ceremony is presented in the Commemorative area of the Australian War Memorial each day. The ceremony commemorates more than 102,000 Australians who have given their lives in war and other operations and whose names are recorded on the Roll of Honour. At each ceremony the story behind one of the names on the Roll of Honour is told. Hosted by Troy Clayton, the story for this day was on (1268) Telegraphist Cyril Lefroy Baker, HMAS AE1, First World War.

1268 Telegraphist Cyril Lefroy Baker, HMAS AE1
Died at sea 14 September 1914
No photograph in collection

Story delivered 9 November 2016

Today we remember and pay tribute to Telegraphist Cyril Lefroy Baker.

Cyril Baker was born in Launceston, Tasmania, on 29 November 1892 to John Baker, a miner, and Mary Alberta Elizabeth Baker, known as Bertie. Cyril was the fifth of ten children, and was affectionately known as “Buds” by his family.

A month before his 19th birthday Cyril Baker joined the navy, hoping become a telegraphist. He served on HMAS Protector for two years in order to undergo training, and on 22 January 1913 he passed his training to take on the rank of ordinary telegraphist. Within a year of enlisting Baker sported a heart-and-spear tattoo on his right forearm, and a kangaroo and flag on his left.

In February 1914 the first of the Royal Australian Navy’s new submarines was commissioned into service. AE1 and her sister ship AE2 left England together, reaching Australia in late May. Just over two months later Britain was at war with Germany, and so was Australia.

One of the first acts of the Australian government following the outbreak of war was to arrange for a volunteer force – the Australian Naval and Military Expeditionary Force – to seize German colonies in New Guinea and the south-west Pacific. Baker was appointed telegraphist on AE1 and joined the expedition.

At 7 am on 14 September AE1 left base to patrol along the coast near the Duke of York Islands, and failed to return. The submarine had been accompanied by HMAS Paramatta, which was conducting its own patrol at the same time, but conditions were extremely hazy and it was difficult to keep a line of sight. Despite extensive searches, no trace of AE1 was ever found. It was surmised that the vessel had been sunk on a reef or other submerged formation.

AE1 was determined to have been lost with all hands, among them telegraphist Cyril Baker. He was 21 years old.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my right, along with more than 60,000 others from the First World War.

This is but one of the many stories of service and sacrifice told here at the Australian War Memorial. We now remember Telegraphist Cyril Lefroy Baker, who gave his life for us, for our freedoms, and in the hope of a better world.

Dr Meleah Hampton
Historian, Military History Section