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George Baker (1882-1942)


Conscientious objector from Esh Winning


“Applicant was utterly opposed to war as a means of settling international disputes, and he believed war to be wicked, and therefore, wrong….He had an unshakable belief in the doctrine of the common Fatherhood of God and in the brotherhood of Man. Therefore, though he had an intense love of his own land and people, he considered humanity to be a greater thing than mere nationality. The deliberate slaughter of his fellowman was abhorrent to him.” Durham County Advertiser, 30 June 1916

This is how George Baker argued against being conscripted. His wife also accompanied him to the Tribunal and spoke in his defence. When questioned about what he had sacrificed for his beliefs George said that he had lost many friends. The Tribunal decided that he should be given a temporary exemption so that he could go for a medical. Unfortunately, his trail then goes cold and we don’t know what happened to him. We would be very interested to hear from anybody who has further information about George Baker or any of the other stories on this website. Please scroll down to the “Contact Us” link at the bottom of the page.

Civil Parish: Brandon and Byshottles

Birth date: 1-Jan-1882

Death date: 17-Sep-1942

Armed force/civilian: Civilian

Residence: Co-Operative Terrace, Esh Winning (1911 census)
2 Evenwood Road, Esh Winning (WMCL list of No-Conscription Fellowship members)
24 West Terrace, Esh Winning (1939 register)

Organisation membership: No-Conscription Fellowship

Employment: Coal Miner, Shot Firer (1911 census)
Colliery deputy, below ground (1939 register)

Family: Parents: Arthur and Caroline Baker (1911 census)
Siblings: Lily, Florence, Ernest, Anne, Horace Baker (1911 census)
Wife: Mabel Moore Payne, married 1912

Gender: Male

Contributed by Durham County Record Office