Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Benjamin Baines a farmer and grazier, born 1840 in Seaton, Rutland and his wife Jane Elizabeth Baines (nee Wright, married in the 4th quarter of 1876 in the Blaby, Leicestershire district), born 1856 in Caldecott, Rutland. Benjamin was born in the 3rd quarter of 1891 in Lyddington, Rutland, his siblings were Mabel Blanche, born 1878, Jane Elizabeth Wright, born 1880, William Hugh Wright, born 1882, Gertrude, born 1884, Amelia, born 1886 and Letitia Amy, born 1889, all his siblings were born in Lyddington, Rutland, in April 1891 the family home was at Village Street, Lyddington, Rutland. In March 1901 Benjamin was absent from the family home in Edmondthorpe, Leicestershire, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, letitia, Aubrey Alphonso, born 1895 and Gwendoline Maud, born 1897, the latter two siblings were both born in Lyddington, Benjamin was residing with his sister Jane and her husband Joseph Pool a farmer, born 1845 in Brentingby, Leicestershire in the family home at Marl Pit, Earl Shilton, Leicestershire. In April 1911 Benjamin was absent from the family home in Wymondham, residing there was his father, an old age pensioner, his mother and siblings, William, a farm general labourer and Aubrey, a farm labourer, also residing in the family home were Benjamin’s nephews, Joseph Edgar Pool, a schoolboy, born 1901, Robert Leslie Pool, born 1903 and his niece Winifred Mary Pool, born 1906, these three children were all born in Earl Shilton, Benjamin was employed as a labourer and was residing as a boarder in the home of Gilbert and Grace Edith Peacock at The Wharf, Market Overton, Rutland.
Benjamin attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (For the Duration of the War.) on the 18th August 1915 in Leicester. He gave his present home address as Wymondham. Oakham, his age as 24 years and 32 days and his trade or calling as horseman. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Benjamin Baines of Wymondham, Oakham as his next of kin. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 4 inches in height, weighed 126 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33½ and 35½ inches. His physical development was recorded as good. His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 10/20874 on the 18/9/15. Embarked aboard H.T. Persic in Devonport to join the Egyptian Expeditionary Force on the 17/2/16. Disembarked in Basra on the 21/3/16. Joined the 2nd Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, in the field on the 3/4/16. Killed in action, in the field on the 6/4/16. A summary of his service records, Home Service, 153 days. Egyptian Expeditionary Force, 50 days. Total service 203 days. Benjamin was awarded the British war and Victory medals. The following information was provided by Benjamin’s mother Jane Baines on the -?- May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by -?-, Congregational Minister, Wymondham on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, deceased. Mother of soldier, Jane Elizabeth Baines. Full blood brothers of soldier, William Hugh Wright Baines, age 37 of Wymondham, Oakham. Aubrey Alphonso Baines, age 25. Full blood sisters of soldier, Mabel Blanche Mabbott, age 40. Gertrude Hutchinson, age 35 of Burley, Rutland. Amelia Cook, age 33. Letitia Amy Johnson, age 30. Gwendoline Maude Headley, age 22. Benjamin’s surviving service documents are in a very poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
The War Diary records: 6 Apr-16 - The 19th and 28th Brigade’s supported by 21st Brigade were ordered to carry out a night march with the intention of attacking at dawn. The march was commenced shortly after midnight, in massed formation, 28th Brigade on right, 19th Brigade on left. Formation of 28th Brigade. Front line 51st SIKHS (FRONTIER FORCE) and Provisional Battalion OXFORD AND BUCKINGHAMSHIRE LIGHT INFANTRY, second line 2nd LEICESTERSHIRE REGT, third line 53rd SIKHS and 56th RIFLES (FRONTIER FORCE). Owing to considerable delay during the march the attacking Brigade’s were 1000 yards short of enemy’s position when it was daylight. Suddenly the enemy opened a withering fire. The first lines of the Brigade pushed forward to within 800 yards of enemy’s position until compelled to halt through very heavy casualties (our own artillery on right bank of TIGRIS being responsible for a considerable number) when they entrenched. Some 400 yards behind these another line was established and consolidated by some 200 men of the LEICESTERSHIRE REGT and HIGHLAND Battalion’s (1st SEAFORTH HIGHLANDERS and BLACK WATCH of 19th Brigade), the remaining units of both Brigade’s extending in rear. Heavy fire was kept up by enemy throughout the day. At dusk the wounded and a few others of the Battalion and other units crawled back, and organised stretcher parties were sent out. The following casualties occurred, very early in the Battalion. Officers killed 2nd Lieutenant H. BILLINGS, wounded Major R. N. KNATCHBULL D.S.O., Major A. F. R. COLQUHOUN, Captain C. A. BAMFORD, Captain H. N. H. GRIMBLE, Lieutenant H. STOCKLEY, 2nd Lieutenant T. MONAGHAN, 2nd Lieutenant J. HARBOTTLE, 2nd Lieutenant H. S. ELLIS. 2nd Lieutenant B. BRAKES was wounded in the afternoon. Other ranks during the 6th April, killed 45, wounded 254, wounded but did not quit Battalion 3, missing 19. Major D. L. WEIR D.S.O. reassumed command of the Battalion on the afternoon of the 6th April.
On Friday May 19th 1916 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL AND DISTRICT NEWS.” – WYMONDHAM. – DEATH IN ACTION. It is our sad and painful duty to report the death of another Wymondham hero, 20874 Private Benjamin Inchley (Sonny) Baines. The sad news reached his parents in a letter from the War Office on Thursday, as follows:- It is my most painful duty to inform you of the death in action, on the 6th of April at the Persian Gulf, of your son, 20874 Private Benjamin Inchley Baines. The King commands me to assure you of the true sympathy of his Majesty and the Queen in your sorrow. – Kitchener. Much sympathy is felt by all for the parents, especially for his aged father. Deceased was of a quiet disposition, and much liked by all who came in contact with him. He only enlisted on the 3rd September, 1915, and was drafted out in January last. A memorial service was held in the church on Sunday evening, when most touching references were made for the two lads who had sacrificed their lives for King and country. Appropriate hymns were sung, and at the close the “Dead March” in “Saul” was played by Mr. W. H. Dyke, the congregation standing.