James Barr Baird (1894-1963)

James Barr Baird was know to the family as Jimmy and he was my mum’s dad, my Grandpa Baird.

While searching records in the War archives I decided to try to find out what I could about his war service.

This photo is of my Grandpa (standing) and his older brother, Harry and led to me searching for their stories. It’s hard to know whether I didn’t listen to the stories or whether they were never spoken about.

My searching has found that Jimmy didn’t enlist in the war as such. He enlisted as a 17 year old in the Territorial Force on 22 February 1911, signing up for a 4 year term. He recorded himself as a steelworker with the firm of James Dunlop & Co, Calderbank and a member of the Boys’ Brigade.

His height is recorded as being 5ft 9 inches, chest 36 inches while his physical development and vision are “satisfactory”.

In the years preceding the war he committed to drills, annual camps and home defence. War broke out however in August 1914 and he was embodied for full time service. On 16th December 1914 he landed in France with the 1/2 Lowland Field Company, Royal Engineers, part of the 52nd (Lowland) Division.

Records show that the winter of 1914/1915 was bitter and wet and, as an engineer, Jimmy was likely involved in repairing trenches damaged by shellfire, digging communication trenches, strengthening parapets, laying barbed wire and building dugouts under fire. Working at all times of day and night within range of enemy fire.

On 9 May 1915 Jimmy was wounded while serving in the Givenchy–Festubert sector in northern France. Records describe “gunshot wounds, left hand.” He was admitted to hospital on 12th May 1915 but recovered and returned to join his unit in July.

He remained in France during the winter of 1915-16 and, for a short period, both Jimmy and brother Harry were serving in France, Jimmy with the Royal Engineers and Harry with the Highland Light Infantry.

On 28 February 1916, five years to the day after his medical examination in Coatbridge, Jimmy was discharged under King’s Regulations meaning he had served his time. I have a recollection of my mum saying that the family were not expecting Jimmy home so imagine their surprise and delight when he just walked in the door one day.