Air MarshalSir Brian Edmund BakerKBE, CB, DSO, MC, AFC (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).[1]
In August 1915, Baker was transferred into the Royal Flying Corps,[2] and received the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 1938 at the military flying school at Montrose on 25 October 1915.[5] On 7 December 1915 Baker was assigned to the General List, attached to the Royal Flying Corps, and appointed a flying officer.[6] With only 12 hours of flight time in his log book, he was posted to No. 13 Squadron in France,[2] flying the BE.2 aircraft.[7]
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.[7] He was promoted from flight lieutenant to squadron leader on 1 July 1925.[10]
Baker served aboard the aircraft carrier HMS Eagle in 1934,[4] and was senior RAF officer aboard HMS Courageous from May 1935. He was appointed station commander at RAF Gosport in April 1937,[7] with the rank of group captain[12] from 1 July 1937,[13] and then served as station commander at Leuchars from September 1938.[7]
From December 1945 Baker served as Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief RAF Mediterranean and Middle East.[7] He was promoted to air marshal on 1 July 1947,[18] 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.[7][19]
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.[21]
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.[23]
^Shores, Christopher F.; Franks, Norman; Guest, Russell (1990). Above the Trenches: A Complete Record of the Fighter Aces and Units of the British Empire Air Forces 1915–1920. London, UK: Grub Street. p. 57. ISBN0-948817-19-4.
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