A Canadian Soldier

Lt.-Col. Baker was born into a family with a long history of service to Canada: his father had served in the Provincial Legislature or the Dominion Parliament for over forty years. Colonel Baker, a man of many interests, undertook law at McGill University and was called to the Bar in 1900. After a successful career, which included a stint as a member of Parliament, his military career started in the cavalry gazetted as a provisional lieutenant in the 6th Hussars, and by 1913 he was Lt.-Colonel of the 13th Scottish Light Dragoons. With the gathering of the clouds over Europe, Colonel Baker steeled himself for field service and responded to a toast to his health: "my aim is to win, if possible, the confidence of my men and to leave the rest to circumstance and the turn of events."
His military career was to be of great merit but short in duration, like many of his comrades-in-arms who travelled from the furthest Dominions to Flanders Fields. His story is told in his collection of letters, and a copy of the despatch that memorialises his death; but suffice to say that they are a telling recollection of an upright, honourable soldier, loved by his men, conscientious to his duty, who lay down his life for his country.
Author Lt. Colonel George Harold Baker M.P. d. 1916
Text taken, whole and complete, from the edition privately published.
Original Page Count 83
Illustrations 3 Portraits

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