Baird, John Robertson 106071 (1891 - 1916)

Private, 1st Bn. Canadian Mounted Rifles

Buried at Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial

Commemorated at Hillhead High School

Private John Robertson Baird was the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Baird, Winnipeg, Canada. He received all his education at Hillhead High School, and, until he left for Canada with his parents in 1905, was an ardent member of the Cadet Corps.

After a short period of training in a bank in Winnipeg he joined his father in the commission business. When the world war began he joined the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles and arrived at Shorncliffe for training in June, 1915. Soon after he proceeded to France, and spent that terrible winter in the trenches round Ypres. There in the fierce fighting that raged in the month of June round Sanctuary Wood and Hooge Farm the whole of the 1st Canadian Mounted Rifles were practically wiped out, and Private Baird was amongst the fallen.

Owing to the fight raging for weeks and there being so few survivors the exact date of death has not been ascertained. Some time after the parents of this gallant soldier received a letter from a German soldier saying that while occupying the old trenches of the Canadian Mounted Rifles he had found Private Baird's Bible, and offering to send it to them if they so wished. Needless to say, they have gratefully accepted the offer, which goes to prove that the German nature is not altogether bad.

Private Baird dearly loved his adopted land, and was loud in its praises, but responded at once in the hour of his native country's need. We have a specially warm place in our heart for these heroes from afar.