Herbert was born in Hinderclay, Suffolk on 21 Feb 1883, he had two sisters Helen and Barbara.  In 1910 he married Kate Pemberton and their daughter Olive Esther Baxter was also born in 1910.  Their son John Andrew Baxter was born in 1911 when they lived at 1 Boat Cottages, Trimley St Martin, at this time Herbert worked as a nursery gardener. Their second son Herbert George was born in 1914.

 

Herbert Ernest Baxter joined the 32nd (Service) Battalion (East Ham) of The Royal Fusiliers and served in France arriving on 11th December 1916 coming under command of 124th Brigade, 41st Division. He moved with the Division to Italy in November 1917 but returned to France on March 2nd, 1918. Between 3rd and 16th March he served with 32 Battalion but transferred to 26 Battalion, Royal Fusiliers on 15th March 1918. On his way from the front line on  21st March 1918, he was killed in action. He is commemorated on the Arras Memorial.