John was born at midnight on the 2nd of October 1877 in Colmonell, Ayr. He was the only son of Hugh and Elizabeth Baird. He had an elder sister Janet who was born in 1875. The family lived in Maybole where Hugh was an agricultural labourer. After the early death of his mother John's father remarried a widow, also called Elizabeth, who had 3 sons. For a while the family lived in the Doonfoot area of Ayr and young John atended Alloway school however they soon returned to Maybole where Hugh still worked as a farm servant. John eventually left school and joined his father working the land.

In 1905 John married Jessie McCulloch. He had by now left farming and was working as a vansman. Together they had two sons.

John became a Private in the 1st Btn of the Scots Fusiliers. He was killed in action on the 8th February 1918 in France and is buried in Boyelles Communal Cemetery Extension, France.

He is remembered with pride in Alloway

Joh

servant

Hazel Hoyle