Thomas Stanford Baldock

Thomas Stanford Baldock was the son of W Baldock, of Fernlea, Romsey, Hampshire. He was commissioned in the Royal Artillery on 29 April 1873, passed staff college in 1888 and saw active service in the South African War (1901-2), during which he commanded a brigade of mounted rifles. In September 1911 Major-General Baldock became the first commanding officer of the newly established West Riding Territorial Division (later styled 49th (West Riding) Division).

He retained his command on the outbreak of war and deployed to France with the division in April 1915. 49th Division’s first action was during the battle of Aubers Ridge (9 May), where it undertook defensive duties. This proved to be Baldock’s first and last battle. He was severely wounded in the head by shrapnel following a German bombardment of his HQ located in Trois Tours Château, north-west of Ypres, on 16 July.

Baldock held no more commands and retired from the army on 16 January 1916. He was the author of Cromwell as a Soldier (London: Kegan Paul, 1899).