James Norman Baker LOUDON MC & Bar, MID

Badge Number: S11747, Sub Branch: State
S11747

LOUDON, James Norman Baker

Service Numbers: 1072, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning
Enlisted: 14 September 1914, Morphettville, South Australia
Last Rank: Lieutenant
Last Unit: 50th Infantry Battalion
Born: Booborowie, South Australia, 12 March 1892
Home Town: Unley, Unley, South Australia
Schooling: Not yet discovered
Occupation: Clerk
Died: Natural Causes, North Unely, South Australia, 10 December 1972, aged 80 years
Cemetery: Centennial Park Cemetery, South Australia
Centennial Park Cemetery, Adelaide
Memorials: Adelaide Rowing Club WW1 Pictorial Honour Board, Unley St. Augustine's Church Roll of Honour, Unley Town Hall WW1 Honour Board
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World War 1 Service

14 Sep 1914: Enlisted AIF WW1, Morphettville, South Australia
22 Dec 1914: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1,

--- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '22' embarkation_place: Melbourne embarkation_ship: HMAT Berrima embarkation_ship_number: A35 public_note: ''

22 Dec 1914: Embarked AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance, HMAT Berrima, Melbourne
28 Apr 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance, ANZAC / Gallipoli
2 Jun 1915: Wounded ANZAC / Gallipoli, Bullet Wound to right shoulder
12 Sep 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Sergeant, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance, ANZAC / Gallipoli
28 Oct 1915: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance, ANZAC / Gallipoli
26 Mar 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 13th Field Ambulance
31 Mar 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Lance Corporal, 1072, 4th Field Ambulance
29 Apr 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion
12 Aug 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Second Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion, Battle for Pozières
1 Sep 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion
27 Nov 1916: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 13th Infantry Brigade Headquarters
2 Apr 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 13th Infantry Brigade Headquarters , German Withdrawal to Hindenburg Line and Outpost Villages
7 Jun 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Messines
7 Jun 1917: Wounded Battle of Messines, Gun Shot Wound (General Shrapnel Wound?) - slight
25 Sep 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion, Polygon Wood
6 Oct 1917: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion, Battle of Poelcapelle
24 Apr 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 1072 - service number relinquished on commissioning, 50th Infantry Battalion, Villers-Bretonneux
11 Nov 1918: Involvement AIF WW1, Lieutenant, 50th Infantry Battalion
13 Jul 1919: Discharged AIF WW1

Bar to Military Cross Citation

Villers-Bretonneux - April, 1918.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Prior to a counter-attack this officer moved up and down the jumping-off position under heavy fire, assisting in the development of the battalion and starting it forward in the correct position. The next morning he went forward with three runners to ascertain the situation and deliver important orders. Two of the runners were wounded and he ordered the remaining runner to remain where he was, going forward along under heavy fire.

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Military Cross Recommendation - 24 February 1918

As Battalion Intelligence Officer from Sept 1917 to Feby, 1918. This officer has carried out his duties in a highly satisfactory manner.
On the night of 25/26th, September near ZONNEBEKE under adverse conditions, he correctly laid the jumping off tape for the Battn attack. Prior to and during the attack he did much valuable reconnaissance work which was of material assistance in bringing the attack to a successful issue.
On the 6/9th, Oct, 1917 near BROODSEINDE under heavy hostile shell fire he reconnoitred the front line previous to the Battalion going in for an offensive operation and on other occasions has ably carried out similar duties in taking over defensive sectors.
His thorough training of the Bn Scouts out of the line and skilful use of them in the line has resulted in highly efficient Patrolling.

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MID Recommendation - 20 September 1917

From 26th. February 1917 to May 1917 this Officer acted as Brigade Intelligence Officer and carried out his work in a very satisfactory manner under exceptionally adverse weather conditions, during which time the Brigade did a tour in the front line North of FLERS in February 1917, and a successful attack on NOREUIL and to the North-East of NOREUIL in April, 1917.

On return of the Brigade Intelligence Officer, he resumed duty as Battalion Intelligence Officer. On 7th. June, 1917, at MESSINES he assisted in laying the jumping off tape for a Brigade attack under heavy hostile shell fire, and was wounded soon after the completion of his task.

Since then on three separate occasions he has ably reconnoitred from line positions prior to the Battalion taking over defensive sectors.
By thorough training of Scouts and Observers out of the Line and skilful use of them in the line he has been of great assistance to the Battalion and done much good work. Period covered - 26th. February, 1917, to 20th. September, 1917.

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Biography contributed by Kathleen Bambridge

Retired from Dalgety and Co Ltd in 1957 and with FW Wakelin thery were to travel back to the Gallipoli battlefield, then to France and Belgium were they had both fought.