W/223775 Auxiliary Territorial Service.
Madeline Baker was born in Steyning, West Sussex 23rd July 1904. The daughter of Walter and Julia Elizabeth Baker.
The 1939 census shows her living at Downsway, Erringham Road, Shoreham by Sea and her occupation is given as “Secretary to Grammar School”. During this time Shoreham College was still known as Shoreham Grammar School.
Records show that on the 29th April 1942 she had been commissioned into Auxiliary Territorial Service as a Second Sub, being the equivalent to a second lieutenant.
On the 23rd May 1944 Junior Commander Baker reports for duty at Sompting refugee Camp where she was the second in command of a company of 40 members of the ATS.
At 23.00 hours on May 28th 1944 an enemy aircraft dropped a High Explosive bomb on the camp.
The Action Officer's Minute Book for that night records this information.
“May 29th 08.26 hrs. 1944.
Sompting. Reference my 00.28 Casualties now 10.9 ATS, 1 Gunner.
2 killed, 2 died in hospital. 5 serious 1 slight in hospital.”
May29th 12.00 hrs 1944.
Sompting. Duty officer asked for information as to the assistance given, after enquiring of the Worthing S/C I informed him-
1. Assistance was sent by S/C at request of police made at 00.02 hrs.
2. 2 ambulances and 1 rescue van sent at 00.04 hrs.
3. 1 ambulance returned at 01.20 hrs. and the other at 04.51 hrs.
Junior Commander Madeline Baker was one of the four fatalities.
Madeline was buried 1st June 1944 at Mill Lane, Cemetery Shoreham by Sea where she received a full military funeral. On her grave the following is engraved.
“She gave her life that others might live in freedom, Let those that come after see to it that her name be not forgotten”
Her sacrifice is recorded on the UK, Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945.
Shoreham by Sea Roll of Honour
Shoreham College Roll of Honour