Machine Gun Corps (formerly 23936, Private, York and Lancaster Regiment).

Awarded the M.M. in the London Gazette of 21 August 1917.

Baldwin was a native of Burnley, Lancashire.

The Burnley News of Wednesday 25 July 1917 reported, GALLANT MACHINE-GUNNER. MILITARY MEDAL FOR FORMER BURNLEY MINER. Lance Corporal John Baldwin of the Machine Gun Corps, a former Burnley Miner has been awarded the Military Medal, he is a native of Burnley and in October 1915 went to work in Grimethorpe. He was previously employed at Reedley Colliery, and lived at 16, Pheasantford Street. The official report states, For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in action on the 7 June 1917, under very heavy rifle and machine gun fire he succeeded in bringing his gun into action on a most vulnerable flank in the front line where he did great execution on the enemy, and attacked, single handed, when all the men in his section had been killed or wounded until he himself was badly hit by shell splinters, the whole of his right cheek being taken away. He showed throughout a fine example to his men.

The gallant soldier is the son of Mr. and Mrs. George Baldwin formerly of Grimethorpe, Yorkshire but now of Cudworth, Yorkshire. Lance Corporal Baldwin, who is in hospital, is stated to be progressing favourably.

Baldwin enlisted on the 20 October 1915 into the York and Lancaster Regiment at Pontefract, Yorkshire. He transferred to the Machine Gun Corps on the 9 May 1916 and embarked for France on the 14 July 1916 with the 70th Company, MGC. He was severely wounded on the 7 June 1917 and was discharged on the 25 March 1918 due to the severity of his wounds. In addition to his Military Medal he was in possession of the British War and Victory Medals and the Soldiers War Badge number B-17672 (List MGC/383).