Service militaire
Âge :
24
Grade :
Caporal
Force :
Armée
Unité/Régiment :
The Loyal Edmonton Regiment (4th Battalion, Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry)
Naissance :
14 juin 1985
Scarborough, Ontario
Enrôlement :
24 septembre 2003
Willowdale, Ontario
Décès :
12 février 2010
Afghanistan
Lieu de l’enterrement/commemoration
Référence funéraire :
Sec 10, Lot 6244
Informations Complémentaires
Fils de Janet Baker de Ajax, Ontario. Petit-fils de Lillian Baker de Scarborough, Ontario.
Galerie numérique de Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
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Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
Corporal Joshua Caleb Baker was born and raised in Scarborough, Ontario. He was the only child of Janet Baker, a single Mother. Janet raised Joshua with the help of her Mother Lillian Baker. His death has been an absolute horrific nightmare for both of them. The following photos on this site are courtesy of Joshua’s Mother and no one else. -
Joshua Arrives Home
"He's Gone" they said and in that moment my heart shattered into a million pieces and my whole world turned dark. I will love you forever Joshua and miss you until I see you again. Love, Mom -
Joshua In Afghanistan
Love, Mom -
A Gift Of Love
For Joshua's Birthday in 2010 I honoured him by personalizing my license plate. He will always be "Mom's Hero." Love, Mom -
Memorial
For the first 5 years after Joshua was killed I honoured him by orchestrating a Memorial to keep his memory alive. Love, Mom -
Joshua's Faith
Joshua was born and raised a Christian. His faith in the Lord remained very strong throughout the course of his life. Those in Afghanistan always remember seeing Joshua reading his Bible at any given opportunity he had. He was never ashamed of who he was. Love, Mom -
What Was Rightfully Mine
When Joshua was killed his medals and beret were given to someone else at his funeral by the Military. Medals and beret are considered personal belongings. It was clearly stated in Joshua's "Will" that 100 percent of his personal belongings come to me his Mother. I had to fight the Military to have them returned but one year later they were handed to me at his Memorial service. The Military were wrong and so was the individual who chose to keep them until she was told she could not have them. Sadly, the flag that draped Joshua's coffin that the medals and beret were on at Joshua's funeral was never returned. She refused to give it to me. What a nightmare that was for me. -
Joshua's Legacy Begins
Since both Joshua and I attended Ellesmere Statton Public School, I felt it would only be fitting to have his school recognize his sacrifice. After careful planning with the principal, it was decided by me that a Basketball Court would be built and named in his honour. On September 12th, 2013, the new Basketball Court was officially named in honour of my son. I know in my heart Joshua would be so proud. Love, Mom -
A Fitting Tribute To Mom's Hero
This is the full view of Joshua's new Basketball Court done in his honour. Love, Mom -
Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
This is one of my favourite photos of Joshua while training out west. Love, Mom -
Shattered
It was not my choice to survive without you ... So I choose to live and honour you. I am still standing. Love, Mom -
Ottawa Peace Tower
After much planning and red tape, I was allowed into the Ottawa Peace Tower to see Joshua's name written in the Seventh Book of Remembrance. Normally people are not allowed to touch the book, however the Sergeant-at-Arms was kind enough to loan me one of her gloves so I could actually lay my hand on the book under Joshua's name. As his Mother, this was not the way I wanted Joshua written into Canada's History. I remember just staring at his name as every part of me just wanted to scream at how cruel and unfair this life is. -
The Price A Mother Pays For Love
No matter what anybody says about grief and about time healing all wounds, the truth is, there are certain sorrows that never fade away until the heart stops beating and the last breath is taken. I will love you forever Joshua and miss you until I see you again. Love, Mom -
Special Delivery
Every year I have tried to find unique gifts that represented Joshua's life. I found someone that hand carved Military vehicles and thought this would be an amazing gift for Joshua. I contacted the person who created them who was honoured to ship one up to me for Joshua for Christmas. When I received it, I was very impressed with the detail of this beautiful carving. Love, Mom -
Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
This picture was taken of Joshua while on duty in Afghanistan. It was one of his favourites. Love, Mom -
Grief Has No Timeline
If you simply cannot understand why someone is grieving so much, for so long, then consider yourself fortunate that you do not understand. There is no greater price a Mother pays than to lose her child. Love, Mom. -
A Painful Reminder Of The Nightmare I Face
I visited Peacekeepers Park in Angus, Ontario. Another Memorial with Joshua's name on it. Love, Mom -
The Horror Of My Reality
Since Joshua was killed the reality of him being gone is completely overwhelming. My body is totally numb and has been that way since I heard he was killed. As I look at Joshua's name I am left speechless as no words could ever describe this nightmare. -
Joshua's Legacy Continues
Joshua was born and raised on Canlish Road, so as his Mother I thought it would be a wonderful legacy for him to have the street named in his honour. I did not want to change the name of the street for that is what Joshua knew it as, but instead I wanted to have his name added above it. After fighting the city for just over 2 years to have this done, my mission was accomplished. On September 18th, 2014 I stood at the intersection of Canlish and Ellendale facing the very home Joshua grew up in as the city dedicated the street in his honour. Love, Mom -
A Second Tribute To Mom's Hero
Joshua, this street is dedicated in honour of you. I know you would be smiling from Heaven at such an amazing Tribute. Love, Mom -
A Very Talented Student Honours Joshua
I went to the school that Joshua attended and asked one of the teachers if she could have a couple of the art classes draw images representing Joshua's life and likes for a Birthday gift in his memory. Here is a beautiful rendition of Joshua from one of the students. What an amazing likeness. I have seen some professional artists work but none captured Joshua's likeness the way this young student did. Love, Mom -
Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
Joshua in his element. He thrived on every challenge put before him. He was an amazing soldier who I will always be so very proud of. Love, Mom -
Family
This picture is of Joshua and his Grandmother, my Mother, Lillian Baker. My Mother and I were Joshua's only surviving blood family. My Mother played a large part in helping me raise Joshua. She also helped instill his strong Christian faith. I will always be grateful to my Mother for everything she did for Joshua. Love, Mom -
Memorial
This is the fifth Memorial I had done for Joshua where I had invited people. After much soul searching I had decided to now stop the open invitation. I was tired of the revolving door of people that came in and out of my life with no regard for my pain and heartache. I was exhausted with people taking me aside and telling me what people really thought of Joshua and I but still would show up for the Memorials. To me this made no sense. The lies and hypocrisy was incredibly overwhelming. The final straw for me was when someone in the Military told me point blank "Joshua is old news now, we have new wars." I was angry that someone in the Military would actually say that about a fallen soldier. To me it felt like no one cared that Joshua gave his life for his country. I was done with Memorials after that. -
Gifts Of Love
Joshua was amazing with children and even sponsored a needy child overseas. I decided that, in Joshua's honour, I would donate toys and craft supplies to the Toronto Sick Kids Hospital. I did this for 5 years and each year the number of gifts matched his age had he not been killed. He would have loved this idea. Love, Mom -
Mom's Pathway
I have visited my son's grave every day since he was killed. This is something I would never have imagined doing but I never imagined losing my son either. As you can see in this picture, I have followed a specific path each and every time I visit my son. Ironically, I didn't even notice it until someone pointed it out to me. The accumulated miles I have walked to see my son is a testament to the never-ending love I have for Joshua. Love, Mom -
Disrespectful Reporters
When I was visiting Joshua I was suddenly confronted by the news wanting an interview. I was shocked. First off I thought how disrespectful of these people to invade my privacy while with my son. Secondly, they were totally going against the cemetery's privacy policy. I told them emphatically "No" and to leave me alone. Low and behold, I get home and am watching tv when there I am. This news reporter put me on anyway. They filmed me visiting Joshua when I turned away from them. I was beyond angry and have no respect for the news media. -
Painted Into History
Many of the familes of the soldiers killed in Afghanistan know the name Dave Sopha. I had the privilege of meeting this remarkable artist at his work where the Portraits of Honour Mural was. We talked for 3 hours and he became such a dear friend. He painstakingly painted every soldier killed in Afghanistan on this mural. He painted Joshua with such accuracy that it almost looked like a photograph. Sadly we lost this amazing man in 2021. -
Precious Memories
Joshua had a very close friend who lived just around the corner from us. He knew Joshua from the day he was born and was "LIKE" an uncle to him. One of their favourite activities was building with Lego blocks. As a personal Tribute to Joshua and Brian I bought and built this lego castle. It is an amazing castle in Germany. Love, Mom -
Joshua Legacy Continues
Joshua attended high school at Winston Churchill Collegiate. I met with the principal and talked with him about an idea I had to honour my son. I mentioned to him that I wanted it to be something Joshua enjoyed which was working out. I talked to him about a brand-new weight room and how I felt that it would be the perfect choice to commemorate my son. The principal agreed. I then asked for a professional artist to be brought in to paint a mural going into the weight room to represent Joshua's sacrifice. After a lot of hard work by the artist and 5 art students the mural came to fruition. On September 9th, 2014, a brand-new weight room along with the mural was dedicated in honour of Joshua. Love, Mom -
A Third Tribute To Mom's Hero
This is the completed Mural in memory of Joshua. Love, Mom -
Overwhelming Sorrow
Christmas was always one of Joshua's favourite times of year so even after he was killed I would buy gifts for him in his memory. As I lay surrounded by the gifts I bought him I am left speechless with nothing more than memories of what should have been. His laugh, sense of humour and overall joy he projected at this special time of year I terribly miss. No Mother should ever have to be forced to live without their child. -
A Dream Destroyed
Joshua always wanted to be a police officer and had put his application in prior to leaving for Afghanistan. Sadly he never got to fulfil his dream. I looked into getting a diecast police car for Christmas in his memory. I was able to have this car customized by a police officer who did this as a hobby. The 41 represents the district Joshua was born and raised in and the 24 was the age he was killed. The licence on the car reads JCBHERO which is my licence plate that I had done in his honour. Love, Mom -
Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
My son was an extremely handsome young man. When I look at a picture of my older brother Billy before he was killed and look at Joshua at that same age, they could have been twins. The similarities were unreal. The three of us looked so much alike. We all most definitely carried the Baker gene something Joshua always commented on and was very proud of. Love, Mom -
Acknowledging What Should Have Been
It is so hard to believe that this would have been Joshua's 30th Birthday. How time has slipped by from the little boy who I brought into this world to where I am now. I will love you forever Joshua and miss you until I see you again. Love, Mom -
Lighting Up The Sky
Joshua deserved something special for what would have been his 30th Birthday. So I decided to light up the sky for him with some amazing fireworks. It made me feel like I was sending his gift straight up to Heaven. Love, Mom -
Bearly Making It
I have collected stuffed animals throughout the years but this one became very special to me. His name is George. Joshua was with me at Christmas when I received him and even before I opened the box I could see Joshua already knew exactly what it was. I always remember him trying not to laugh so he wouldn't give it away. After Joshua was killed George became my go to animal to cling to. When tragedy strikes sometimes we go to the only things we have left. There is no right or wrong to that. It is called survival. -
Mom's Hero
I found a company who created custom skateboards and as a Christmas gift I had one made up with a picture of Joshua in Afghanistan. Joshua loved skateboarding growing up and would have loved this very "cool gift." Love, Mom -
An Amazing Victory
This picture represents an incredible personal victory for both Joshua and myself. From the day Joshua was killed the Military didn't know how to handle Joshua's death and all the circumstances surrounding it so they did what was easy for them and that was sweep all the issues pertaining to him under the carpet. I got extremely exhausted of not getting anywhere with the Military and wrote to Walter Natynczyk. At that time he was the Chief of Defense for all of Canada. No easy task to get a hold of someone of that high position but after sending many letters to him my perseverance paid off. One day while in the drive-thru of Tim Horton's my phone rang. I looked down and saw private number. When I answered the phone I heard "Hello Janet, this is General Walter Natynczyk and I hear you are wanting to speak with me." Upon hearing him I nearly fell out of my car. I couldn't believe I had finally got his attention. I eventually met with him in his office in Ottawa which was so surreal for me. I remember thinking how Joshua would have been floored at such an achievement. Walter had such compassion for my situation which was refreshing since no one else in the Military cared that Joshua was killed. We then began working together for years to try and rectify the countless issues pertaining to Joshua. -
My Life Sentence
My son said to me before he left for Afghanistan and I quote "Mom, I'm not comfortable going over with the men I have trained with. They are not experienced enough and I feel they will not have my back in any given situation that may arise." I became frightened upon hearing him say that. Fast forward to where I am told Joshua had been killed in a training exercise. As things unfolded, I then learned that 3 of his own men were being charged in regard to his death. Upon hearing that I thought I was going to to throw up and broke immediately into tears. The final outcome of those initally charged I will not make any comment on other than saying Joshua was right. -
A Mother's Treasure
When Joshua was growing up, he loved surprising me with different things he made from either school or church. One day the school had him photocopy his hands and then had him write a poem to go along with it. The love in Joshua’s eyes when he gave it to me was indescribable and the smile on his face was priceless as he looked at me with such love. His kindness and giving heart I will forever miss. Love, Mom -
Photo of Joshua Caleb Baker
Joshua was always highly commended for his dedication and drive to be the best soldier he could be. I will always be so very proud of my son. Love, Mom -
Sparking Memories
Joshua was an excellent welder and owned his own welding helmet. When he was killed the welding helmet was not sent back with his personal belongings. His helmet had been promised to my husband by Joshua but was never seen. My husband had this helmet custom painted in Joshua's memory. Love, Mom -
An Act Of Kindness
This flag was personally made by a company who graciously donated it to me in Joshua's honour. Love, Mom -
Tribute From The Sky
I wanted to do something very different for the sixth year of Joshua being killed. After a few phone calls to the Harvard Association, I had the privilege of a fly over by 2 Harvard Aircraft. They performed the "Missing Man" formation in honour of Joshua. It was an incredibly touching sight to watch for me as his Mother. Love, Mom -
Taken For Granted
I went to Ottawa to see the Kandahar Cenotaph. It was originally built in Afghanistan. I never saw it while it was there because of Military paperwork. I fought the Military on that and finally won the right to go. I asked someone to go in my place since I visit Joshua's grave every day. She went for me but chose to keep the items they gave to her for herself. I didn't feel that was right since she was going in my place and doing me a favour. Not to mention he is "My Son." -
Honouring Joshua
In honour of what would have been Joshua's 32nd Birthday, I purchased this jersey and had it customized with his last name and the age he would have been if he had survived. My husband unknown to me contacted Bauer Canada and spoke with them personally. After hearing about Joshua, they graciously donated a custom pair of matching hockey gloves and stick with Joshua's name on them. Joshua loved playing hockey as he grew up and would have loved this gift. Love, Mom -
My Most Precious Gift
I thought I would add an early picture of Joshua and I. This photo was taken on Joshua's first Birthday. I loved being a Mother and was so thrilled I had a son. Who would have thought that Joshua would never see his 25th Birthday and because of that my entire world would shatter. Love Mom -
Tree Of Remembrance
I bought this Christmas tree in 2010 in memory of Joshua. It has never been taken down since that Christmas. Each year I have tried to add Christmas ornaments representing Joshua's life and our life together. After many years I can finally say the tree is complete. Love, Mom -
A Bronzed Tribute
My husband unbeknownst to me, talked to someone in the U.S about creating a statue in memory of Joshua as a surprise for me. The artist was more than happy to do it and created this amazing bronze statue with a beautiful plaque. I also received a photo book of the creative process which I found fascinating to look through. I remember giving Joshua a statue when he was a Private and he loved it. I can only imagine how much he would have loved this one. Love, Mom -
A Mother's Never-Ending Love
Many years ago, I saw and bought this picture. This picture shows such love and protective nature between Mother Bear and Cub. Something I felt I was for Joshua. Even though I couldn’t protect him from death, I have been protecting his memory and moral character like a Mother Bear protecting her young. Love, Mom -
He Is My Son - My Only Child
As I kneel where my entire family is, I know in my heart they would be appalled at the cold and callous attitude everyone has taken towards me. Nobody has really cared that I lost Joshua and that he is "My Son." Sadly, they were too busy “Wanting Him For Themselves" which has been incredibly selfish on their part. He is not a brother or an uncle to anyone contrary to the many articles circulating throughout the internet. The reality is all my family is gone, and I never had any other children other than Joshua. There is "NO" other family of Joshua’s out there no matter what anyone says. I am the last one of the Baker line. -
A Mother's Worst Nightmare
No Mother should ever have to bury their child. I will love you forever Joshua and miss you until I see you again. Love, Mom -
Grave Marker
I felt in choosing a marker for Joshua this seemed most appropriate. It states everything I needed to say. Love, Mom -
Why So Much Hate
October 2019 began a new nightmare in my life without Joshua. Vandals began targeting my family's burial plots. I will never know why but the vandal/vandals were vicious. They shredded the Canadian flags that lined the body on either side of my son, cut the string surrounding everyone and even created huge holes when ripping out the posts holding the string. Even when changing the string to clothesline wire they continued to wreak havoc by damaging the markers and killing the grass for 6 years. I will never understand how anyone could carry so much hate. -
Joshua, Your Mother Is Exhausted
It has been a very long journey since Joshua was killed. I have fought the Government, the Military and the Media. I have fought to have my son remembered when nobody else stepped up. I have been ignored and shunned by Joshua’s friends and many others who only temporarily showed up and left my side. I am thoroughly exhausted from everything I have had to endure from the trials and even to the damage being done to my family plot. No one could truly understand what I have been through and will continue to go through since all their lives have moved forward. I truly believe the only thing that has kept me from collapsing from the horror of this nightmare is my Christian faith. I wait for the day I will be free from all of this and finally be reunited with my son and family in Heaven. Only then will this nightmare be over. -
Until We Meet Again
Joshua, I know one day I will see you again and when that time comes there will be no more tears, no more pain and my shattered heart will be made whole. I will love you forever and miss you until that day. Love, Mom
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
Galerie numérique de
Caporal Joshua Caleb Baker
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