Baker, Purdy Lindsay

Purdy Lindsay Baker was born on 26 September 1896 in West Jeddore, Nova Scotia. Jeddore is a Canadian rural coastal community in Nova Scotia’s Halifax Regional Municipality. The community itself comprises several smaller communities, East Jeddore, West Jeddore, Head of Jeddore, and Jeddore Oyster Pond. Purdy’s father John Henry Baker was from Jeddore Oyster Pond while his mother Annie Harpell was from Head of Jeddore, the couple marrying in 1875 in Halifax. Over the years John’s occupation was given as sailor, mariner, seaman, and fisherman. Settling in the Jeddore area, children born to the couple were Lillie Aleta (1877), Howard Clark (1880), Everett Seldon (1882), Viola H (1884), Delilah May (Lila) (1885), Theodore Walter (1888), Roy William (1891), Grace Eudwella (1894), Purdy, Clyde Moody (1898) and Violet Ethel (1902).

By the time of the 1911 census Purdy, while living with his family, was working as a fisherman. According to a later naturalization document, in April of 1915 he married Susie Elizabeth Shupe. Born in 1897 in Martins Point, a small coastal community about 130 kilometres southwest of Jeddore, she was the daughter of Alexander, a fisherman and sailor, and Naomi (née Keizer) Shupe who had married in 1897. Purdy and Susie gave birth to daughter Dorothy Lila later that year.

With the onset of conscription during the latter part of the war, Purdy was living in northwestern Ontario when he was called up for service under the 1917 Military Act. Using the alias Albert (Bert) Lindsay, his address was given as Camp 1 Keewatin, Keewatin a small town about 5 kilometres west of Kenora. His occupation was given as machinist, marital status as single, date and place of birth as 15 December 1895 in Bathurst, New Brunswick, and his next of kin as Mrs John Levine of South Bathurst. However his pay was assigned to Mrs PL Baker, Martins Point, Nova Scotia. He signed his attestation with the 1st Depot Battalion Central Ontario Regiment on 23 January 1918 in Toronto.

With the 9th Draft of 1st Depot Battalion Central Ontario Regiment, “Bert” arrived in England aboard the Missanabie on 3 April 1918. Transferring briefly to the 3rd Reserve Battalion, he was struck off strength to the 4th Canadian Mounted Rifles in mid August, joining the unit in the field on the 17th. In February of 1919 he was granted an eight day leave to the UK. While in England he was hospitalized at the No 12 Canadian Base Hospital at Bramshott from 17 February to 8 March with influenza. He arrived back in Canada on 10 April 1919 and was discharged from service on demobilization at Saint John, New Brunswick the same day.

At the time of the 1921 census Purdy and Susie were living in Halifax where Purdy was working as a moulder. Other children born in Nova Scotia were John Alexander (1920), Helen (1922), and Elsie (1924). In August of 1925 Purdy crossed into the United States, on his way to Medford, Massachusetts where his brother Theodore was living and working as a carpenter. Susie and the four children followed in 1927. Living in Medford for the 1930 and 1940 censuses, Purdy was also working as a carpenter. Children born in Medford were Elizabeth Violet (Betty) (1929), Gloria Fay (1933), and Barbara Ann (1936). By the time of the 1950 census Purdy, Susie, and Barbara were living in Everett, Massachusetts, lodging with their daughter Helen (Louis) Garofano and family. According to their later obituaries Purdy and Susie would also live in Brockton, Holbrook, and latterly in Lynn, all in Massachusetts.

Purdy died on 7 December 1978 in Lynn. At the time of his death he was survived by his children Dorothy (Audraye) Jackson (d 2001), Helen Tacke (d 1981), Elsie (d 1989), Betty (George) Mulvaney (d 1989), Gloria Egerton-Golden (d 2009), and Barbara (d 2003). He was also survived by his brother Clyde of Brockton (d 1979). Purdy was predeceased by his wife Susie (1971, Lynn), father John (1918, Halifax), mother Annie (1910, West Jeddore) and siblings Lillie (Elliot) Sylvia (1938, Nantucket), Howard (Mabel Mitchell) (1950, West Jeddore), Everett (Ida Dooks) (1957, Musquodoboit Harbour, NS), Viola (1885, West Jeddore), Lila (Thomas Boucher) (1939, Ottawa), Theodore (Marie Adams) (1960, Medford), Roy (Elizabeth Ada Wambold) (1948, Halifax), Grace (1951, Cole Harbour, NS), and Violet. Purdy and Susie are interred in the Puritan Cemetery in Peabody, Massachusetts.

By Judy Thorburn

Grave marker photograph provided by Anonymous, ID #51591480, findagrave.com.