Enlistment Address
Eurogna, Gilgandra, NSW
Service Number
4730
Unit
13th Battalion
Comment
Gilgandra Coo-ee
Fate
KIA
Information
Private Harold Baxter 4730
Harold was a 22 year old labourer on ‘Euronga’, Gilgandra NSW when he enlisted on 9 October 1915 at Gilgandra with the Coo-ees and marched to Sydney. His father stated he was one of six who marched the entire route without assistance.
Harold was born in Essex London to James and Rhoda Baxter. He had been in Australia for 4 years and was a farm labourer at Euronga, Gilgandra when he enlisted.
Harold was 5’9” tall, weighed 11 stone (69kgs), with medium dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair and a vertical scar near his ankle on his left foot. He was Methodist and his next of kin was his father, James who lived in Sydney at the time.
Harold trained at Liverpool and embarked from Sydney to Egypt aboard HMAT A15 Star of England on 8 March 1916 with the 13th Battalion. Harold transferred to the 45th Battalion and left Alexandria for Marseilles, France, and arrived at the Western Front in June 1916 to face the Battle at Pozieres in August 1916.
Harold was killed in action on 22 November 1916, killed by a shell burst at Flers, France and buried in a shell hole with his rifle on his grave. His final resting place is in the Bancourt British Cemetery. In a statement to the Red Cross Wounded and Missing Bureau, fellow Cooee James Maher (4847) said: “I knew Bob – his real name was Harry…we had just come from Belgium to the Somme….we were together always.”
Harold’s brother, Herbert Baxter enlisted from Gilgandra in August 1914 with the 1st Light Horse and survived Gallipoli and the Western Front.
Harold’s Memorial Plaque is on display in the Coo-ee Gallery at the Gilgandra Visitor’s Information Centre. Harold is commemorated on Panel 139 at the Australian War Memorial and the Coo-ee Memorial Gateway. A Last Post Ceremony was held at the Australian War Memorial on 16 April 2017 in the presence of his relatives.
