The Last Post Ceremony commemorating the service of (TX6425) Major Percy Hadlow Baker, Headquarters 2 Australian Movement Control Group, Second 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 Sharon Bown, the story for this day was on (TX6425) Major Percy Hadlow Baker, Headquarters 2 Australian Movement Control Group, Second World War.

TX6425 Major Percy Hadlow Baker, Headquarters 2 Australian Movement Control Group
Illness 3 May 1944

Today we remember and pay tribute to Major Percy Hadlow Baker.

Percy Baker was born in Deal, a town in the county of Kent, England, on 17 March 1899. The eldest son of Samuel and Mary Ann Baker, he emigrated to Australia with his family when he was 14 years old.

His parents established a store in the Hobart suburb of Moonah, known as Baker’s Corner, while he went on to find employment with the Railway Department.

Percy was a member of the Moonah Baptist Church, and reportedly played a prominent part in church work.

Baker had spent two years in the cadets in England, and four years in Australia. Shortly after turning 18, in May 1917, he enlisted in the First Australian Imperial Force. As he was still young, he was required to bring a letter from his parents consenting to his enlistment.

Allotted to reinforcements to the 8th Battalion, he embarked from Sydney in June 1917. After first travelling to England, Baker saw service on the Western Front, as his battalion fought in the Somme valley and helped to drive the Germans back to the Hindenburg Line. He steadily rose through the ranks, ending the war with the rank of temporary sergeant.

In Australia after the war, Baker returned to work with the Railway Department. In 1923 he married Ada Best, and two daughters, Betty and Winifred, were born to the couple in the following years; a son later followed.

With the advent of the Second World War, Baker re-entered the army on loan from the Railway Department in early July 1941. Joining Headquarters 2 Australian Movement Control Group, he was in charge of the transport of military personnel.

In February 1943, Baker was accepted as a volunteer for the Australian Imperial Force.

In March 1944, Baker became ill, eventually spending eight weeks in hospital with an unidentified malady.

On 3 May 1944, while on sick leave, Major Percy Hadlow Baker died from a cerebral haemorrhage at his home in Hobart.

He was 45 years old.

He was survived by his wife, two daughters, and a young son. His remains were cremated at Hobart (Cornelian Bay) Crematorium after a military funeral.

His name is listed on the Roll of Honour on my left, among almost 40,000 Australians who died while serving in the Second World War.

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

Duncan Beard
Editor, Military History Section