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World War I in Bulloch County Memorial Project: PVT William Baker

William Baker

William Baker was born on June, 1st 1896 in Statesboro, GA. An African American, he was the son of Milton and Elizabeth Baker and the third of their six children. He lived in Register, GA with his entire family on their farm. He was employed by Dr. J.E. Donehoo in the turpentine industry. He was drafted around August 1918 and reported to Camp Gordon in GA on August 23, 1918, where he was inducted into the Army at the age of 21.

He trained for only a week before leaving for St. Nazaire, France on September 4th, 1918 to serve with the 315th Labor Battalion. Since most African American soldiers were employed in support roles, he likely served as a Stevedore. He was in France for around twenty days before he died of Broncho pneumonia on September 24th, 1918. He was initially buried at St. Nazaire in the American Cemetery. His body was disinterred on July 3, 1920 and returned to his father, Milton, in Register, GA on October 8, 1920.

 

 

 

 

 

Wartime poster commemorating the work of Stevedores at St. Nazaire, the site of Baker's service.

 

Subjects: History