Brian Edmund Baker

Name:

Brian Edmund Baker

Country:

England

Rank:

Major

Service:

Royal Flying Corps
Royal Air Force

Units:

48, 141

Victories:

Born:

31 August 1896

Place of Birth:

Hertford, Hertfordshire

Died:

08 October 1979

Place of Death:

After serving with the 15th Rifle Brigade, Brian Edmund Baker transferred to the Royal Flying Corps in August 1915. 2nd Lieutenant Baker received Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate 1938 on a Maurice Farman biplane at military school, Montrose on 25 October 1915. With only 12 hours of flight time in his log book, he was posted to 13 Squadron in France. In 1917, Baker was posted to 48 Squadron as a flight commander. That year, he downed a Gotha bomber and was credited with 12 victories flying the Bristol Fighter.

Great Britain, Royal Aero Club Aviators' Certificates, 1910-1950

Military Cross (MC)

2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Brian Edmund Baker, Rif. Bde., and R.F.C.
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.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 25 August 1917 (30251/8806)

Distinguished Service Order (DSO)

T./2nd Lt. (T./Capt.) Brian Edmund Baker, M.C., Gen. List and R.F.C.
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 an 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.

Supplement to the London Gazette, 16 August 1918 (30845/9560)

Victories

	Date	Time	Unit	Aircraft	Opponent	Location
1	15 Jun 1917	2020	48	Bristol F.2b (A7149)	Albatros D.III (DESF)	N of Vitry
2	21 Jul 1917	1800	48	Bristol F.2b (A7107)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Slype
3	22 Jul 1917	1040	48	Bristol F.2b (A7146)	Gotha (DES)	NW of Ostend
4	27 Jul 1917	1710	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170)	Albatros D.III (DESF)	NE of Nieuport
5	28 Jul 1917	0815	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170)	Albatros D.III (DESF)	Ghistelles-Zevecote
6	19 Aug 1917	0650	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170)	Albatros D.V (OOC)	Ostend
7	21 Oct 1917	1300	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170)	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Ostend
8	31 Oct 1917	1615	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170)	Pfalz D.III (OOC)	NE of Dixmude
9	11 Nov 1917	1710	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170) ¹	Albatros D.III (OOC)	NE of Dixmude
10	11 Nov 1917	1710	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170) ¹	Albatros D.III (OOC)	NE of Dixmude
11	29 Nov 1917	1445	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170) ¹	Albatros D.III (OOC)	Houthoulst Wood
12	29 Nov 1917	1530	48	Bristol F.2b (A7170) ¹	Albatros D.III (CAP)	Armesvelde-Zarren

1	Observer AM2 Bruce Jackman