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Afghanistan: Cpl Joshua Caleb Baker - Killed in Afganistan
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by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke | February 13, 2010 at 04:32 am
3692 views | 30 Recommendations | 13 comments
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Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker, Loyal Edmonton Regiment
uploaded by Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker, 24, a member of the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, is the 2nd soldier killed in Afghanistan in 2010.
Corporal Baker was killed in a training accident near Khandahar. Apparently this was continuing weapons training, which is standard training to keep a soldier's skills honed and keep him sharp. "This type of training is normal for soldiers in theatre and essential in helping them to maintain high levels of expertise," Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, the top commander in Kandahar, said Saturday in a release.
Corporal Baker was based in Edmonton, Alberta with the Loyal Edmonton Regiment, a reserve unit also known as 4 PPCLI. He was serving with the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team.
Brigadier General Menard said that Corporal Baker was mentally tough, loved his job and had a laughter that lid up a room.
An investigation into the incident and cause of death has started. Four others were injured. Not much else is known at this time.
The accident occurred on the eve of an operation into Hellmand Province, involving Canadian helicopters and their crews.
American, British, Afghan and other coalition troops stormed the insurgent-held town of Marjah and the District of Nad Ali early Saturday morning. The Operation is named Operation Moshtarak, meaning "together".
A ramp ceremony for Corporal Baker was conducted Saturday, Corporal Baker has commenced his journey home to Trenton, Ontario.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued a statement on Saturday, urging Canadians to remember Baker “who served to make life better for others.”
"Baker served valiantly in order to build a better future for Afghanistan,” Harper said.
Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker was the 140th Canadian soldier killed in Afghanistan.
KANDAHAR, Afghanistan — Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker has become the second Canadian soldier to die in Afghanistan in 2010 and the 140th to be killed since Canadian troops arrived early in the spring of 2002.
Baker, a 24-year old Edmontonian and a reservist serving the Loyal Edmonton Regiment was killed late Friday afternoon in a training accident while shooting at a range four kilometres north of Kandahar City.
The death was announced at Kandahar Airfield by Brig.-Gen. Daniel Menard, commander of Canadian troops in Afghanistan. Shortly after Baker died
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Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke
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Most RecentMost Recommended Comments (13)
at 07:20 on February 13th, 2010
Thank you for this, Karl. So sad: He was so handsome. I did not know training posed such a risk: I hope you are quite safe when involved with such?
at 07:37 on February 13th, 2010
Whenever you use live ammo there is a risk. The question is was this a weapon malfunction or did someone make a mistake. I guess we will have to find out the results of the investigation.
at 09:11 on February 16th, 2010
He was my brother... I spent my whole life wondering who he was and what he looked like and where he was... I now look at his photo and can see how much we were alike... I just wish that I got the chance to meet him instead of reading about him... But through all this Id lke to look at how he was a hero... He became someone even being so young... Ill always think of him in my heart... My hero of a half brother...Joshua Caleb Baker R.I.P.
at 10:54 on February 16th, 2010
LIsa here is some more information on Joshuah, courtesy of PPCLI Regimental Headquarters.:
Friends of the Scarborough, Ont.-raised Cpl. Joshua Caleb Baker said the
"selfless" reservist had recently applied to the Edmonton Police Service,
and was also looking at Toronto's police force, which would have put him
closer to his new girlfriend, who lives in Ontario.
But the 24-year-old told friends he was happy in Edmonton. He had just
purchased a house in Clareview from his friend Chris Gratton.
"He had everything to come back to -- a new house, possibly a new job, a new
girl. It was all ahead of him," Gratton said.
at 10:55 on February 16th, 2010
Vanessa Mansell of Sherwood Park last spoke to her friend on Tuesday via
Facebook. They discussed what Baker wanted to do after his Afghanistan tour.
"He was planning a trip down to Mexico, and Israel. He was excited to come
home," Mansell said. "He had a lot of plans, fixing up his house when he got
back."
On Friday, Mansell had planned to send Baker a care package stuffed with
hockey cards, hockey news, some mixed martial arts magazines and letters.
"My mom wrote him a letter and I wrote him a letter, just saying that we
were thinking about him and praying for him, couldn't wait for him to come
so we could celebrate."
Now they have the unsent package to remember him by, along with a photo on
their fridge.
at 18:20 on February 16th, 2010
Hi Karl if u by any chance could do me the honor of knowing where my brothers burial ground will be id be forever grateful...? Please if you have more information that my family and I can have please get back to me.....
at 18:58 on February 16th, 2010
Ok I will try to find out for you:)
at 20:28 on February 17th, 2010
Oh please and thank you my family and I will be so grateful... Expecially Joshuas real father my dad...Please anything that you can find out for me would be great... Id like to be able to visit his burial ground....:(
at 12:52 on February 18th, 2010
Hi Karl.... Wondering if you found out any information for me? I know he was brought back to Trenton but I havent been able to find out what the burial ground is called.?. Please get back to me... Please and thank you....
at 13:30 on February 18th, 2010
He would have gone to the Coroner from there. Let me make a phone call.
at 13:51 on February 18th, 2010
Please find the applicable funeral details below.
> Date: Saturday, 20 February 2010
>
> Time: 1400hrs
> Location: Pine Hills Cemetery
> Visitation Chapel and Reception Center
> 625 Birchmount Road
> Scarborough ON M1K 1R1
>
> Funeral: "Modified Military Service"
> Dress: DEU 1A
> OPI: WO Ken Smith (L Edmn R)
>
> Cell: 403-700-5329
> Interment immediately following the service
at 20:46 on February 18th, 2010
Will that number put me in contact with someone who will know where his burial ground will be? And thank you very much for your help....
at 21:02 on February 18th, 2010
That Cell number is Warrant Officer Ken Smith, who should be able to help you with this. The final resting place should be at:
Pine Hill Cemetery
625 Brichmount Road
Scarborough, ON
here is a link to the cemetery with a number:
http://www.interment.net/data/canada/ontario/york/scarborough/pinehills/pine.htm