Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Timothy John Baum, a gamekeeper, born 1848 in Leicester and his wife Mary Baum nee Wilson, married in the 2nd quarter of 1876 in the Market Bosworth, Leics. district), born 1858 in Congerstone, Leicestershire. Henry was born in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, he was baptised on the 8th October 1891 in St. Mary’s Priory Church, Worksop, Notts., his siblings were Frederick, born 1877 in Shackerstone, Leicestershire, William, born 1880 in Lutterworth, Leicestershire, Mabel, born 1883 in Coombe Keynes, Wareham, Dorsetshire, John Timothy, born 1887 and Elizabeth Sarah, born 1889, the latter two siblings were both born in Clumber Park, Nottinghamshire, George Francis, born in the 3rd quarter of 1895 and Frank Thomas, born 1899 the latter two siblings were born in Claybrooke, Leicestershire, in March 1901 the family home was at Pump Street, Great Claybrooke, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Henry was employed as a Driver and Carter for Bert Boyes a local farmer and was residing in the family home at Claybrooke Magna, Leicestershire together with his widowed mother and siblings, John, George and Frank, also residing with the family was his niece Elizabeth Ellen Baum, born 1903 in Maesteg, Glamorganshire, Wales. Henry was the husband of Margaret Ellen Baum, nee Burdett from Broughton Astley, Leicestershire who he married on the 23rd November 1914 at Broughton Astley, Leicestershire. Relating to his brothers, Frank also fought in the war, ending the last eighteen months as a Prisoner of War, John (Jack) who was a butcher, died when he was struck by lightning while working in Claybrooke village, George Francis fell in action, having been twice previously wounded. Henry enlisted into the Army on a Short Service engagement for the duration of the war on the 10th December 1915 in Lutterworth, Leics. He gave his place of residence as Bell Street, Claybrook, Lutterworth and his age as 24 years and 6 months, and his trade or calling as carrier and farm worker. He gave his wife Margarte Ellen Baum, of Bell Street, Claybrook, Lutterworth as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 0 inches in height, he weighed 123 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 34 and 36 inches. His record of service began when he was mobilised on the 3rd April 1917. He joined at No. 3 Depot, Scarborough, Yorks., as a Private, service number 33565 on the 4/4/17. Posted to the 3rd Reserve Cavalry Regiment on the 7/4/17. Transferred to the Royal Fusiliers for posting to the 5th Reserve Battalion London Regiment. Authy. W.O. LNO 121 drafts 7268 AG5 on the 1/9/17. Posted to the 2nd Battalion Royal Fusiliers to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 12/10/17. Transferred as a Private, service number G/20064 to the 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment on the Authy. 39th I.BD. Etaples, France on the 14/10/17. He joined the Battalion in the field on the 16/10/17. Admitted to the 50th Casualty Clearing Station, (Northumbrian), Mont des Cats, France suffering from scabies on the 17/10/17. Rejoined his Battalion in the field on the 24/10/17. Sailed with the Battalion to Italy on the 12/12/17. Returned with the Battalion to France on the 1/4/18. Wounded in action in the field on the 17/4/18. Admitted to the 13th Field Ambulance suffering from a gun shot wound to his arm and leg (left) on the 17/4/18. Died of wounds received in action in the 35th General Hospital, Calais, France on the 29/4/18. A summary of his service records; Home Service, 3/4/17 – 11/10/17, 192 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 12/10/17 – 29/4/18, 200 days. Total service 1 year 27 days. While Henry was serving his wife was awarded a weekly separation allowance of 12 shillings and 6 pence. On the 24th August 1918 Henry’s widow had posted to her the following items of personal property, (1) Wallet and notebook, letters, cards, razor, false teeth, metal watch (glass broken). (2) Letters, photos, religious book, religious tracts, canvas wallet, steel mirror in case and a comb. On the 9th October 1918 Henry’s widow received a letter informing her that she had been awarded a widows pension of 13 shillings and 9 pence per week to commence on the 11th November 1918.
The War Diary entry records; 17 Apr-18 – BARLY - Enemy Artillery were more active than usual and put down a heavy barrage from 10.00 to 11.30 AM and at intervals during the night. O.O. 173 received. LIEUT. S. H. de LEWIS-BARNED M.C. rejoined the Battalion from leave. 2nd LIEUT. H.A. GRAY M.C. proceeded to MARTHES as instructor to Reinforcements School Camp.