In 1911 William Henry, who was born in Stamford in 1898, was living at 4 Welland Street with his father also William Henry and his stepmother Ruth (nee Scott) Baker and his younger siblings George William (11), Harrold (5), Doris (3) and Lucy (10 months). His father, a railway checker, was born in Lyddington in Rutland. George William was born in 1900 in Sheffield, Yorkshire. The other children were all born in Stamford. His father and stepmother were married in Stamford in 1906.

Sometime before 1911 the family had moved from 10 Elm Street. In 1901 father was a foreman checker in a railway yard. At this time he was living with his first wife Emma (nee Berridge, born in Great Casterton, Rutland with their children – William Henry (2) and his elder sister Mabel (7). William’s mother (Emma) died in 1904 in Stamford. By 1911 Mabel had left home and was working as a scullery maid at Oakham School.

William was a machine moulder when he enlisted into the 2/4th Battalion Lincolnshire Regiment on 22nd October 1914. Private William Baker (3091) was attached to the 28th Provisional Battalion on 11th November 1915. He remained there until his transfer to the 9th Infantry on 30th June 1916 before joining the 2nd Lincs Regiment on 26th August 1916. Eventually he joined the Royal Scots 17th November 1916. Having gained 2nd Class Proficiency with the R.E. ( 21st October 1916) he joined the Tank Corps (307086) on 19th January 1918 . He returned to the UK on 28th February 1918. He was discharged on 30th March 1920. He then re-enlisted for a final year on 11th July 1921.

He was awarded the British and Victory Medals and 1915 Star.

In 1926 he married Nellie Alton in Stamford and their daughter Pauline was born in 1933.