Rifleman Arthur Sidney Baird
| Date of Birth | 30/12/1884 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 32 |
| Date of Death | 14/08/1917 |
| Service Number | 555155 |
| Military Service | 16 Bn Queen’s Westminster Rifles |
| Merton Address | 34 Gordondale Road in Wimbledon Surrey. |
| Local Memorial | St. Luke's Church, Wimbledon |
Additional Information
Arthur Sidney was the seventh child of Emily Charlotte Shrubbs and William Baird; his parents had married on the 1st of January1868 in Cambridge. The reason why the Baird family name changes from David to Baird is unclear.
Arthur was baptised at St Saviour Church in Ruskin Park in Lambeth on the 1st of March 1885. Baptismal records reveal that Arthur was born on the 30th of December 1884 and that the Baird family resided at Heron Road in Brixton.
His father, William was employed as a stone carver according to the 1891 Census. The Baird family resided at 8 Heron Road in Brixton at the time of the 1891 Census.
William died in 1896 and was buried on the 30th of July 1896 at Norwood Cemetery.
By 1901, !6-year-old-Arthur was employed as at stationer’s clerk and the Baird family continued to reside at 8 Heron Road in Brixton.
In 1912, Arthur married Florence Mary Choate, the couple’s son Herbert Arthur Patching was born on the 20th of 0ctober 1913. Baptismal records reveal that he was baptised on the 16th of November 1913. His father Arthur was employed as a clerk and that the Baird family were residing at 34 Gordondale Road in Surrey.
According to the electoral register in 1914, the Baird family still resided at 34 Gordondale Road in Wimbledon Surrey.
Arthur enlisted as a rifleman at Wimbledon in the 16th County of London Battalion Queen’s Westminster Rifles and was killed in action on the 14th of August 1917. He is remembered at the Menin Gate Memorial.
Arthur ‘s estate of £200 8s and 11d was left to his widow Florence Mary Baird.