Claude Baxter was born at Carlisle on 15 December 1900, the son of Alfred Baxter and his mother was Lily. He was adopted by Mary Amelia Gould.

He completed submarine training on 29 September 1940.  He was drafted to HMS FORTH and further  drafted to HMS TRIUMPH shortly after arriving in FORTH. TRIUMPH left the Holy Loch on 6 November 1940 for Gibraltar, with Claude as part of her crew. He was promoted to Temp Acting Leading Stoker in April 1941.

He was Mentioned in Despatches – see London Gazette of 5 May 1942.

Claude Baxter left a wife, Emily Maud Baxter, of Fareham, Hampshire, whom he had married on 5 January 1928.  He is commemorated on the Portsmouth Naval Memorial, Panel 67, Column 3.