His father, William, born in Peckham, London, in 1871 had married Charles (sic) Ann Mcgowan, also born in 1871, at Knockandu, Morayshire. William was a Chief Officer with H.M. Coastguards.
William had one older brother, 3 younger brothers and a younger sister, Dorothy, all of whom were born in Scotland.
In 1901 William & Charles (sic) were resident in the civil parish of Bervie, Caithness.
By 1911 William Charles appears on the England census resident with Emily Gilford a widow in Peckham, where his father was born, with her daughters. He was described as a Nephew, age 16, Single, (working in a) Laundry, born Thurso, Caithness, (Visitor). Emily was probably the widow of James Gilford, they had married in Camberwell in 1873 and had daughters Florence May and Ethel Jessie.
Chief Officer Baxter was appointed to Felpham Station on 17th March 1912 and the family that included James born 1893, Herbert born 1897 and Arthur born in 1900 were living at Felpham when war was declared. Felpham Coastguard Station was closed in the 1920's.
On 3rd October 1914 William enlisted in either the 1st or 2nd Battalion of the Scots Guards, there are conflicting records, and served with the British Expeditionary Force (B.E.F.) from 16th April 1915. His enlistment documents are on Findmypast but the details are not clear when printed.
11485 Guardsman William Charles Baxter died at the 1st Casualty Clearing Station at Chocques on 19th May 1915, at the age of 20, and is buried in Chocques Military cemetery, France ref: I C 35. He had only been in France for 34 days.
William's address is given as "Bruntlands" The Grove, Felpham. A Kelly's for the 1950's shows it as number 8.
More than 16,000 casualties were sustained in the attack at Festubert, in support of the much larger French offensive to the South at Vimy Ridge. French losses there were over 102,000, against German almost 50,000, including those at Festubert.
William Baxter died age 80 in 1943 and Charles (sic) in 1946 age 74. They are both buried in St. Mary's churchyard ref: F129. The grave is described as a rectangular kerbstone with four corner posts.