Baxter, R (Robert)
Baxter, R (Robert)
Signalman Robert Baxter was the son of James and Eileen Baxter, of Coleraine. He served with 7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment). Robert died in Preston because of an accident.
During Mid 1939, the 7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment) become the 1/7th and 2/7th Battalions. The later created within the Territorial Army.
The 2/7th, even though they were badly equipped and trained were sent to France in April 1940, the 1/7th went to Iceland, where it would remain until May 1942. While the 2/7th were in France they suffered badly and were eventually evacuated from the conflict via Dunkirk. The next two years they would spend on home defence before transferring to the Royal Armour Corps, becoming 115 and 114 RAC.
The following year in February 1943, the 1/7th became 7th again. They continued to train and perform home defence duties and would not enter the conflict in Europe until the 6th of June 1944. Unfortunately, by then Robert had passed away.
Date of Death: 03/02/1944 (Aged 20)
Service: Signalman: 7th Battalion, Duke of Wellington’s (West Riding Regiment)
Service Number: 3782559
Burial Location: Grave 282.
