Pioneer James Baxter joined up at Bedford in August 1917, and spent three months in training before proceeding to France.

He was captured in the German push of 21st March, 1918, and had been a prisoner for nine months in POW camps at Parchim and Wesel. James Baxter was 32 years old when he lost his life.

 "Perthshire Advertiser, 11th December 1918 “Perth soldier prisoner murdered - extraordinary tale of brutality by German guard - killed in a working party in front of companions"

The deepest sympathy of the community of Perth will be felt for our well known townsman, Mr Peter Baxter, James Street, Mrs Baxter and family, in respect of the grievous information to hand regarding the fate in Germany of Mr and Mrs Baxters’ elder son, Pioneer James Baxter, R.E.

 Pioneer Baxter, while working in a German camp, was murdered by a brutal German guard, the evidence of whose crime is furnished in a letter from another soldier who was working alongside.

The circumstances, along no doubt with those concerning the deaths of many British prisoners of war, appear to call for an enquiry with a view to punishment of the guilty and reparation by the German Government, as far as money can make reparation for the loss of human life, to households so cruelly deprived of their breadwinners.

The information regarding their son reached Mr and Mrs Baxter on Monday morning in the form of a communication from the mother of the soldier who, along with others, witnessed the brutal deed.

To Pioneer Baxters’ wife who resided with her husband, a photographer to trade, in Waterlaw Ltd’s large establishment at Dunstable, London. The young widow forwarded the sad communication to Mrs Baxter who at once wired for further particulars, and this morning received the following letter from her son’s soldier companion.

 “Dear Madam, I am writing in answer to your telegram. I will let you know all I can about your son or husband whatever it may be as he was a very nice chap, and we all respected him. I was a prisoner myself captured on the 21st March last, the same time as Mr Baxter.

One day we were picking leaves for the Germans and while going up the banks to start work the guard went after Mr Baxter and nearly murdered him with the butt of his rifle and then shot him straight through the back. I then went to his assistance, and the guard having gone I put him in a better position but he died soon after.

I and my pals dug his grave in a cemetery in the village. When we buried him there was a German Priest present and the rest of the boys. If there is any more you would like to know about him let me know, and I will be only too pleased to tell if I can. You have got my sympathy.”

 James Baxter is also commemorated on the St Martins Parish War Memorial.