Source: Unknown. Probably records of promotions for other members of the 18th Battalion.
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Military Medal for Bravery in the Field per London Gazette. No. 30172. Page 6840.
Died at Park City, Utah.
Military Service of John Weir Baxter, reg. no. 159603
This man enlisted with the 81st Battalion, CEF, at Toronto, Ontario on 24 November 1915. His attestation paper shows he was born at Glasgow, Scotland on December 19, 1884. He was an unmarried clerk and was residing at 35 Wood Street, Toronto, Ontario. His next-of-kin was his mother, Christina Baker residing at 95 South Portland Street, Glasgow, Scotland.
He claimed 4-years prior military experience with the 3rd Lanarkshire Rifle Volunteers.
His apparent age was 30-years and 10-months old and he stood 5’ 5.75” tall with a chest of 36” expanding 1.5”. He had a medium complexion, blue eyes, and brown hair. He had a scar on the right side of his body from a hernia operation. He weighed 126 pounds. He was a Presbyterian.
He arrived at Liverpool, England on May 6, 1916 aboard the SS Olympic with the 81st Battalion. He was transferred to the 18th Battalion on June 21, 1916, and after transiting to his unit through the Canadian Base Depot at Etaples, France he arrived in the front lines on July 14, 1916.
He was promoted to Corporal on September 16, 1916, after the bloody battle of Flers-Courcelette.
He was appointed to Lance-Sergeant on April 9, 1917, the day of the Attack on Vimy Ridge.
He was then awarded the Military Cross on April 6, 1917, for “Bravery in the Field” for actions before the Battle of Vimy Ridge.
He served with the battalion and was able to enjoy two leaves during his service, both to England.
He had some dental issues and had treatment at Etaples from November 17 to December 22, 1918.
He appears to have completed his service with the 18th Battalion but was transferred to England and served in a support capacity until he returned to Canada.
He was discharged from service at Halifax, Nova Scotia on September 27, 1919, upon demobilization. He indicated that he would be residing at Salt Lake City, Utah.
John W. Baxter Dies
At the Miners Hospital, this city, Sunday morning, February 12th, John W. Baxter, a well-known and prominent citizen of this community for the past twenty-six years, died, after steadily failing health for four years past. He was a long sufferer with rheumatism and complications.
Mr. Baxter was born in Glasgow, Scotland, on December 19th, 1884. He came to Park City in 1913, and with the exception of four years efficient service overseas in the world war, he continuously made his home in this community. Besides his widow, Mrs. Mildred Powers Baxter, and two sons, Donald W. and John Keith, of this city, deceased is survived by his aged mother, Mrs. Christina Weir Baxter; two brothers, David and William Baxter; three sisters, Mrs. John Murray and Mrs. William Cartney, all of Glasgow, Scotland, and Mrs. William Barry, of Boston, England. Deceased came to America in 1913, locating in this city, working in the mines and mills until November 24, 1915, when he enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Forces, and was in active service in France with the 18th Battalion for four years. During this service he was promoted to sergeant, receiving two distinguished service medals—one for four years active service on the field of battle, and the “for heroric valor.”
Returning to Park City in 1917, he secured a lease on a section of the Daly-Judge property, which he worked until 1921, when he was engaged as clerk in a Judge store, and later served as manager until the store was closed in 1932. For five years following his work was as timekeeper at the Alliance property.
Always an active member of the Local Miners Union, deceased in July last year, was elected secretary-treasurer of Local 99, which position he held when stricken with pleurisy, which resulted in his death.
Mr. Baxter was a useful citizen in this community, dependable and friendly—a good husband and devoted father. He was married in this city in 1930 to Miss Mildred Powers of Van Varda, Utah, a former instructress in our public schools. To the bereaved widow and family, the aged mother and relatives, sympathy is extended in their bereavement.
Funeral services were conducted in the Community Church Tuesday afternoon, Rev. E. White, officiating. Attending the services were District Deputy Olga Samuelson, R. V. Galatas, Alva A. Lutant, G. H. Clapham; Commander Post 97, Gilbert Jack; Ellis Smith; Chaplain A. Leonard Wood, of the Canadian Veterans of Salt Lake City. Two services were largely attended by the members of Local Union 99, attending in a body, and holding the funeral procession to the City cemetery.
The Park Record. 16 February 1939. Page 1.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 