Brian Edmund Baker

Air Marshal Sir Brian Edmund Baker (31 August 1896 – 8 October 1979) was an officer of the Royal Air Force who served in both World Wars. He was a flying ace in World War I credited, in conjunction with his gunners, with twelve victories, comprising one enemy aircraft captured, four destroyed (including one shared), and seven "out of control" (including one shared).

Biography Baker was educated at Haileybury College between 1910 and 1914.

World War I On 9 January 1915 Baker received a commission as a temporary second lieutenant, in the 15th (Service) Battalion of the Rifle Brigade.

In August 1915, Baker was transferred into the Royal Flying Corps, On 7 December 1915 Baker was assigned to the General List, attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and appointed a flying officer. With only 12 hours of flight time in his log book, he was posted to No. 13 Squadron in France,

On 6 February 1917, although still only a second lieutenant, he was appointed a flight commander, with the temporary rank of captain, in the newly formed No. 48 Squadron, flying the Bristol F.2B.

Inter-war career After the war he remained with the RAF, serving as an instructor at the School of Technical Training. He trained as a flying instructor at the Central Flying School and in December 1921 was assigned to No. 4 Flying Training School at RAF Abu Sueir, Egypt. He later served on the staff of the Directorate of Training, before being appointed Officer Commanding, Aden Flight, in February 1924. In April 1925 he returned to No. 4 FTS as instructor and commander.

Baker was appointed Officer Commanding the Experimental Section at the Royal Aircraft Establishment in March 1926, and Officer Commanding No. 32 Squadron at Biggin Hill in December 1929. and appointed chief flying instructor at RAF Leuchars. from 1 July 1937, and then served as station commander at Leuchars from September 1938. receiving promotion to air commodore (temporary) in September. He then served as Air Officer Commanding AHQ Iceland from 1941, and Air Officer Commanding No. 16 Group from July 1942, He was transferred to command of No. 19 (Reconnaissance) Group, Coastal Command, in July 1943. He was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters RAF Middle East in June 1945. and was appointed Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief RAF Transport Command in September 1947, serving in that post until his retirement from the RAF in May 1950.

Baker died on 8 October 1979 at RAF Hospital Nocton Hall, Lincolnshire, England.

Honours and awards

Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Brian Edmund Baker, Rifle Brigade and Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He led his patrol with great skill against a hostile formation, which he attacked, accounting for five enemy machines out of six. Later, he drove a hostile machine down in flames, and attacked and destroyed another one by diving 7,000 feet on to it and firing at such close range as to nearly collide with it. His gallantry has been at all times of great value to his squadron.

Second Lieutenant (Temporary Captain) Brian Edmund Baker, MC, General List and Royal Flying Corps. For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. Whilst on patrol he engaged nine Albatross scouts, five of these being driven down, two of which he accounted for. On another occasion, whilst leading his flight on in offensive patrol, he dived alone on a formation of six enemy scouts, driving one down out of control. During the course of his patrol work he has brought down ten enemy machines, and his work on all occasions has been magnificent. He is a dashing patrol leader, and inspires all with the greatest keenness.

50px Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire (15 August 1944), "in recognition of his distinguished services in connection with operations in Normandy". 50px Commander with Star of the Order of Polonia Restituta (Poland, June 1945). 50px Grand Officer of Order of the White Lion (Czechoslovakia, March 1946).

Cricket Baker was a keen cricketer, and as a right-handed batsman, he played for Haileybury College nine times between 1912 and 1914, and twice for Hertfordshire in the Minor Counties Championship in August 1914. Between 1925 and 1932 he made thirteen appearances for the Royal Air Force cricket team, eight at first-class level, and served as Team Captain between 1928 and 1930. He was also a member of the RAF hockey team in 1927.