James Alexander Steenson Baird

Private

Conflict:

WW1

Additional Information:

Son of the late James and Lucinda Charlotte Baird.

References:

CWGC

Archives New Zealand

NZ WAR GRAVES

Biographical Notes:

James Alexander Steenson Baird born on 17 December 1893, in Dunedin, son of James and Lucinda Charlotte Baird. Played as a Centre for: Caversham School, Richmond, He worked as a machinist for a local chainmaker. Unusually, he only played only two matches for Otago before All Black selection.
In 1913, Australia toured NZ. The home team won the series, which was played in two parts, 2-1. The first test was played by the main All Black team, which was setting out for California. NZ won 30-5. The test was the only one ever played in quarters. The main team sailed during the week before the second test, so a new side was picked - 13 were playing their first test. The second 1913 test v Australia (won 25-13) was his only game for New Zealand, as he had to withdraw from the third test due to a hand injury. Baird was unable to play in the 1914 season due to illness.
He enlisted, conscripted, in Dunedin on the 29th June 1916 and on the 16th October 1916, departed on the Wilochra for Plymouth, England, where he entered Sling Camp. He left for Etaples, France on the 1st February and was with his company, No 4 Company, 1st Battalion Otago Infantry Regiment, by the 1st March 1917. Wounded in action on the 7th June, the first day of the Battle of Messines, he died at the No.1 Australian Casualty Clearing Station. and was buried in Ballieul Communal Cemetery Extension, Nord, France .

All Black number 190. Played 1 test in 1913 against Australia at Dunedin.

source: NZ Rugby Museum

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Casualty

Service Number:

29720

Name:

James Alexander Steenson Baird

Name variation:

Jas Alex Steenson Baird (CWGC)

Rank:

Private

Date of Birth:

17 December 1893

Date of Birth - Unverified:

17th December 1893

Place of Birth:

Dunedin, New Zealand

Next of Kin:

Edwin Stakey (cousin), 26 David Street, Caversham, Dunedin, New Zealand

Date of Enlistment:

Not known

Enlistment Address:

39 Wallis Street, Carisbrook, Dunedin, New Zealand

Occupation on Enlistment:

Machinist

Unit:

NZEF, Otago Regiment, 1 Battalion, 4 Company

Casualty Details

Cause of Death:

Died of wounds, received at Messines

Date of Death:

07 June 1917

Day of Death:

Thursday

Age at Death:

Conflict:

WW1

Embarkation Details

Embarkation Body:

New Zealand Expeditionary Force

Embarkation Place:

Wellington, New Zealand

Embarkment Date:

16 October 1916

Transport:

HMNZT 66

Vessel:

Willochra

Destination:

Devonport, England

Text in italics supplied by Cenotaph Online, Auckland War Memorial Museum

Cemetery

Cemetery:

Bailleul Communal Cemetery Extension (Nord)

Cemetery Reference:

III. B. 265.

Cemetery Location:

France