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S Baker . British Army S Baker served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Flt.Sgt. Sidney Roland Baker . Royal Air Force 57 Squadron from London
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Thomas Baker . British Army Anti Tank Royal Artillery from Walsall I'm trying to trace my fathers WW2 army service record, and need to find his army service number. Thomas Baker was in the 51st highland division anti tank throughout WW2, serving as far as I know in France, Belgium, Holland, Sicily, Italy, Middle East and Germany. He met my mother while his battalion was in Enschede Holland. My mother is Dutch and they married in Enschede in 1946.
I know my father was injured with shrapnel after a German attack on his position which I believe to have happened on D-Day +1. His Sergeant was killed and one of his mates was horribly injured with shrapnel wounds to his face. My dad carried his mate to a hospital/first aid tent and it was only when he got him there that my dad collapsed from his own wounds.
He didn't realise he had been injured himself until then. My dad was hit in his back with shrapnel and was taken back to Britain to, possibly, Southampton hospital, then onto Liverpool hospital or vice versa.
After he recovered, he went back to rejoin his unit and continued fighting throughout WW2 to the end when his battalion folded and he came out the war serving with a Yorkshire regiment.
My dad would only ever tell us small amounts about his WW2 service memories, but he is now 88 years old and in hospital with bad health with only days to live we have been told. So I'm desperate for any help in searching for his service record so I can honour, understand and retrace his footsteps in WW2.
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Capt. Thomas George Baker . British Army Royal Corps Signals from Fairway, Chanctonbury Chase, Redhill I have every letter my Dad, Tom Baker wrote to my mother during WW11. I am archiving them. He was a brilliant writer, very observant. Tom served in France, Dunkirk, Middle East, a Desert Rat, then Malta and finally Italy.
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Thomas William Baker . British Army 61st Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery from Walsall I'm trying to trace my Dad, Tom Baker's WW2 footprints. My Dad passed away in 2010 but never really spoke about the war only small parts in later years.
I'm 99% sure my Dad served as part of 242 Battery support unit, 61st Anti-Tank Regiment, Royal Artillery, 51st Highland Division, although he did mention 193 Battery.
I also know my Dad served in North Africa campaign inc Tunisia etc (Desert Rats). He also served in Sicily campaign. They returned from Sicily to UK and was stationed at High Wycombe where they prepared for D-Day
I'm sure My Dad's regiment landed on Sword beach on D-Day+1
I know my Dad was injured during this time with shrapnel wounds from a Mortar shell and was taken back to England to Hospital before he rejoined his regiment.
I'm not sure though about where or when my Dad was wounded although he told me it was at Caen and after treatment back in England he rejoined his regiment in Eindhoven? I still have to get this part confirmed.
My Dad met my Mom whilst billeted in Enschede, Holland before his regiment pushed into Germany towards Bremen and later he must have returned back to Enschede because he married my Mom on 19-08-1946 in Enschede.
Any help would be very gratefully accepted.
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RSM Thomas Dawson Baker MBE.. British Army 9th Field Regiment Royal Artillery from Notinghamshire Thomas Baker's MBE appeared in the London Gazette on 28th of June 1945, in recognition of gallant & distinguished services in Burma. The recommendation for the award is as follows:
1419898 Acting WO1 (RSM) Thomas Dawson Baker 9th Field Regiment Royal Artillery, At Bishenpur during May and June 1944 RSM Baker showed great devotion to duty, coolness and bravery under fire. His personal example and hard work, though himself tired out, ensured that an already fatigued Tactical HQ got themselves dug in before serious shelling started, and as a result no casualties were sustained from the constant and accurate shelling. His cheerfulness and complete obliviousness to danger during this period was an inspiration to all. On the Saddle on the night of 10th/11th of June when the enemy over ran Bastion, a position only some 200 yards from Brigade HQ, the remnants of the garrison came back in the darkness through the perimeter, RSM Baker by his coolness and courage under fire ensured that not only did RHQ stand firm in their sector and hold their fire, but that they also helped to steady troops of the remainder of the perimeter thus helping materially to restore a nasty situation. During the later stages of the campaign when men were getting very weary, his untiring energy and cheerfulness, his care of the men's welfare coupled with the complete disregard for the short rations and the attendant discomforts, was an example to all and an inspiration which helped to keep the morale of the Regiment at a very high level. The above are only isolated and typical examples of RSM Baker's conduct since he came to France with the regiment as BSM in September 1939. By his constant devotion to duty, enthusiasm, unswerving loyalty and hard work throughout the whole period of the war, and his personal example of courage and coolness under fire, RSM Baker has been an inspiring leader to his WOs, NCOs and men, and has played a large part in instilling and fostering the high morale of the regiment.
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L/Sig. Thomas Alfred "Bagsy" Baker . Royal Navy HMS Raven Fleet Air Arm from Leigh-on-Sea, Essex My father Thomas Baker was known as Alf or Bagsy. He lived in East Ham, then moved to Leigh-on-sea Essex. He joined the Navy training ship Arethusa aged 13 and a half in 1931 when life was tough for all the boys. He then went to HMS Ganges 1933-1935, HMS Pembroke, Cairo, Woolwich, Victory, Kestrel.
He was assigned to HMS Raven in Eastleigh 1939 at the start of the war as Acting Leading Signalman where he met my mother on Eastleigh rec at the bandstand with his friend Charlie Taffe. Dad confided in his friend Bob Aggas that he was very fond of mum. Mum & Dad married in Eastleigh Parish church in September 1940. They had a few honeymoon days in Torquay, then dad was away for 3 years.
He served aboard HMS Grebe until April 1943, during which time he flew Albacore, Fairey and Swordfish as an air gunner flying scout over the desert observing enemy movements. He was happened to be aboard (not sure which vessel) just as the Germans were invading Norway. The inhabitants gave the Allies all of their valuables so the Nazis wouldn’t have them. Dad was given a bag of silver, but just as the ship was departing it was torpedoed. Unfortunately, he jumped one way and bag went the other.
Once back home, he had a medical which showed a shadow on his lung which landed him in a sanatorium for best part of a year. It was actually because he had had double pneumonia and pleurisy when he was a child.
After hospital discharge, he was mainly based in HMS Daedalus, still flying the Swordfish. All during Dad’s career he gained many qualifications, including the German language. Because of this, he was lent to the German Air Arm in Bremen during the late 1950s. Then he served with RNAS Lossiemouth late 40s early 50s, living in Nissen huts the Army and RAF didn't want. He served on HMS Bulwark 1963-65 during another crisis. Dad’s last posting was HMS Seahawk (Culdrose, Cornwall) where he retired in 1968. We returned to Hampshire in 1976. Dad developed cancer and passed in September 1983. I have various photos and letters etc.
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Vernon Joseph Baker DSC.. United States Army 270th Regiment 92nd Infantry Division from St. Maries, Idaho
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Victor Baker . Royal Air Force 434 Bluenose Squadron. (d.20th Jan 1944 ) Victor Baker served as a Flt Engineer with 434 Bluenose Squadron
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Victor George Baker . Royal Air Force 434 Sqdn. Does anyone remember Victor George Baker from 434 Squadron (Blue Nose)?
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Walter William "Wally" Baker BEM. British Army Kings Royal Rifle Corps from Bermondsey London
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WG Baker . British Army WG Baker served with the British Army. I have his unissued dogtags, made in preparation for deployment to the Far East and would love to get them home to his family. I am happy to cover all costs. If you are a family member or can put me in touch with them please get in touch. Update: Unfortunately The Wartime Memories Project are no longer in touch with Dan, his website, facebook page and email have all ceased to function. But if you can add any details about the person listed, please use the add to record link below.
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Leading torpedo operator William George "Bill" Baker . Royal Navy HMS Newcastle from Swindon Bill Baker, currently aged 93 (Dec 2012), served on HMS Hasty from the start of the war until Jan 1940, and then La Triumphant (French destroyer) for a few weeks before joining HMS Newcastle in early 1940, where he served until 1943. He was on the ship when it was torpedoed by a German U boat which blew a hole right through the ship, before having to return to Alexandria.
After a six month spell at Eaton Hall near Chester (Britannia 2 Royal Navy College - from transferred Dartmouth College) he went to join HMS Gold in Boston USA, but caught chicken pox so was not allowed to sail. The ship was subsequently sumk in the Atlantic shortly afterwards, so his life was saved by having chicken pox! He then joined HMS Bligh for the remainer of the war. During this time he was responsible for depth charges during action stations and was mentioned in despatches following the sinking of a U boat in May 1944.
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Able Sea. William Henry Baker . Royal Navy HMS Pheobe from Chatham (d.23rd October 1942) Able Seaman Baker was the Son of William Henry and Sybil Dorothy Baker, of Chatham.
He was 21 when the Phoebe was torpedoed by the German submarine U-161 off the Congo Estuary, while on passage to French Equatorial Africa.
He is buried in the Pointe Noire European Cemetery in the Congo.
http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/2626790/BAKER,%20WILLIAM%20HENRY
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F/Lt L. Bakewell . Royal Air Force 419 Sqdn. Halifax ll DT646 VR-C was shot down during a raid to Essen 5th March 1943. T/O Middleton St. George 18.57, hit by flak over target and also attacked by nightfighter, aircraft crashed near Elst Holland at 21.37.
F/S J.R. Couper RCAF, KIA (commemorated on the Runnymede Memorial).
F/Lt. L. Bakewell RAF, POW in Lamsdorf, POW No. 37630.
Sgt. A.C. Turner RCAF, Evaded.
WO2 D.D. Scowen RCAF, POW in Lamsdorf, POW No. 27657.
F/O J.E. Marvel RCAF, POW in Stalag Luft 3, POW No. 27751.
Sgt. J.A. Bennett RCAF, POW.
WO W.J. Clark RCAF, POW in Lamsdorf, POW No. 27703.
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Gnr. Vernon Joseph Bakewell . British Army 135th (Hertfordshire Yeomanry) Field Regiment Royal Artillery from Leicester (d.13th Dec 1943) Vernon Bakewell born 11th of Apr 1919 in Leicester, son of George Henry Bakewell and Amy Scoffham. He died as a PoW and is Commemorated at Chungkai War Cemetery.
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W/Cmd. Eduard Bakker . Royal Air Force 320 Squadron (Netherlands) from Holland (d.25th Oct 1943) On 25th October 1943 a Mitchell FR178 plane of 320 squadron was hit by flak. It exploded in mid-air near airfield Lannec/Pontvic near Brest in France.
Crew members were:
- E. Bakker, Commander of 320 Sq. - KIA - buried grave at Orry-la-Ville Senlis)
- H.G. Van Haaften - KIA - Buried at grave at Grebbeberg 8-18.
- Memorial stone at Orry-la-Ville, (Senlis)
At first all were buried at Lanève/Finistère, France.
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Edward Bakker . Royal Dutch Air Force 320 Squadron (d.25th Oct 1943) Since 2001 I am writing the life-story of a airgunner of Dutch 320 Squadron RAF. This veteran is 88 years old and is living in a house for Dutch veterans. On the 25th Oct 1943 Mr Jonker became very heavily wounded on a raid of the Dutch 320 Squadron to Lanveoc Poulmic Brest. His Mitchell (FR 169 42-32514) made that day a emergency landing at Exeter. In the month October 1943 the 2nd TAF (with the Mitchells B-25) made a several raids on the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic (Brest). On the 25th Oct 1943 there was a raid of the Dutch 320 and the British. 98th Squadron RAF together. On the 25th Oct 1943 Mr Jonker became very heavily wounded on a raid to Brest. On the same day 5 men of the same formation were killed. Their names are; E. Bakker, C.J. Bank, M. Bolk, HG Haaften, RWH van Pelt. For the lifestory of Mr Jonker and the chapter about 25-10-1943 and the raid to Brest, I would like to come in contact with the relatives of those Dutchmen. I am very interested about information of the raid on 25th Oct 1943. This date one Dutch Mitchell exploded in the sky (FR 178 W 42-64788) and another Dutch Mitchell (FR 166 R 42-32352) ditched in the sea. Five Dutchmen were killed that day. One of them is still missing. His name is Flying Officer C.J. Bank. He was born on the 27-08-1943 and killed on the 25-10-1943. Do you have information about the Flying Officer? Are there monuments around Brest in relation to this raids? I am also very interested what happened of the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic on that 25th Oct 1943. I have heard that on that 25th Oct day, a lot of high level German officers were on the base. Is that true? Three survivors of the ditched Dutch Mitchell escaped with a French Fisherboat. After the arrival in the harbour all of them were captured by the Germans. Does some one know what has happened with the Fishermen? Is there a (aerial) picture of the airfield of Lanveoc Poulmic? Could you help me with information about what has happened on the 25th Oct 1943 on the airfield Lanveoc Poulmic? Does some one has information about what has happened with the 98th Squadron (B-25), that day?
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Cpl. Jan Bakker . Dutch Army from Holland
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P/O W. Bakker . Royal Air Force No. 320 (Netherlands) Squadron RAF from Holland On 30th August 1941 a Hudson V9063 'Islawreker' of 320 Squadron was lost during convoy patrol off Norwegian Coast.
The crew were:
- P/O W. Bakker - taken prisoner
- C/P C. Van Huystee - taken prisoner
- F/Lt. Klaas Deen - Missing in Action
- W/O E.H. Chateau - Missing in Action
- Sgt. Hubertus Johannes Heeren - Missing in Action
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Fus. Dirk Bal . Dutch Army from Holland
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Cpl. Charles Balaza . United States Army 59th Coast Artillery Battery "K" from USA POW Camp Fukuoka 17 in Japan
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Edward G. Balchunas . United States Army from Philadelphia, PA He served in Normandy during World War II
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Pte. Henry "Baldy" Balderson . British Army 1st Btn. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders from 78 Denmark Rd, Heeley, Sheffield, Yorks My father, Henry Balderson, joined the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders 1st battalion on 19th July 1932,
he died in 1996 and I am looking for any information about him, he was captured very early and was a prisoner of war until the war was over.
I would like to know where my father was captured. I have the letter
sent to my grandfather when he was posted missing in May 1940 the letter
is dated 24/6/1940 it is from Infantry Records Office Perth. I do have a
postcard with him (on teh right) and three other soldiers, on the back it is stamped oflag VII C gepruft, would anyone know who they are?
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Pte. Henry Balderson . British Army 1st Btn. B Coy. Queens Own Cameron Highlanders My father, Harry Balderson, was a POW at Laufen Castle. On the back of a postcard that my grandmother was sent it bears the stamp Oflag VII C gepruft his P O W no is 5036. It was sent 16-3-41. My father was in the Queens Own Cameron Highlanders "B" Company 1st Btln who were part of the 5th Brigade 2nd Div, 1st Army Corp. I have received information he was one of the last men ever to fight a battle wearing a kilt that honour was unique to the battalion, and was one of the many prisoners who were marched towards Germany- but once again one of the few in a kilt.
I was, and always will be, immensely proud of my father and the sacrifice that he and all the servicemen and women did for generations to come. They still pay that price unselflessly to-day. As the words of the poet said on Remembrance Day "They gave their tomorrow so that we could have our to-day" is so very true. This is not only for the Allies but also the Axis, both sides gave their all.
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Pte. Henry George Baldock . British Army Royal Berkshire Regiment My father Henry George Baldock served with Royal Berkshire Regiment at Normandy, I have a photo of the 70th Battalion at Provo Camp in Northern Island.
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GM 1st class James Joseph Baldock . United States Navy Cl 47 USS Boise from Lynchburg, Va My father served on the Boise during WW II. Just seeing if there are any of his shipmates still around.
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Cpl. Kenneth Baldry . British Army 660 Tank Support Services REME from Kirkby in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire At the time of writing I am 91 yrs of age (2010) and although I do not speak very often of the 5 years I spent at war, I do try to keep some of the more positive images I remember. I attended the Colchester Barracks to train up on welding and was subsequently attached to REME 660 tank support services. About 200 men were chosen to provide support to Italy and I remember we were dispatched a little way from the beach and had to wade with our loaded rifles above our heads, hitting the beach to lie flat upon on arrival. I do remember feeling not scared, but very apprehensive about what lay ahead. Luckily the coast was clear and we marched into the village and spent our first night in a large barn. For the next 5 yrs I remained in Italy travelling from the toe up to the top (Trieste). I have fond memories of the Italian people who were very friendly. I was asked by a young boy if I would visit his parents' house after I finished my guard duty and did so. I was made very welcome and in total ended up visiting 6 houses on the street partaking of a glass of wine with each visit. I returned to barracks slightly tipsy! Another memory which can make me smile is that it was often my job to round up the men at the end of the night to get them back to barracks. Many of the young men had been visiting the local brothels in the area. Being a young recently married man myself I spent many hours waiting around (true) drinking coffee and chatting with the 'madam' owners. I have to say being relatively newly wed and a baby daughter at home I did not partake of these pleasures, but I fully understand that the young men needed some comfort during those difficult years. I also remember, at the end of the war, staying behind to dismantle equipment - a few of us from the 660 tank support team visited the Isle of Capri. We located where our beloved Gracie Fields lived and proceeded to shout and ask Gracie to come down. True to form she appeared at a top window and said "Hang on a minute lads, let me put my face on and I will be down." Gracie did come down to meet us, signing autographs and we all received a lovely photograph taken with her. To conclude, the war was won. On my return home (having left a new baby girl) I was met by my daughter (who was almost 5 years old) running down the street shouting "Dad Dad!" She had been watching out for me coming along the road and had run into the house saying "A man with a big bag on his back was coming down the street, do you think that is my dad ?" I had lost those early years of watching my daughter grow up, but remain grateful to this day that I was one of the lucky ones who did return home from WW2.
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Maggie Baldry . Land Army It was avery healthy life in the open air, I can remember I was always hungry. It is so long ago, and as I was only 16 and a half in 1945 when I joined, I didnt keep any records. I was in a hostel near Woodbridge,on field work.
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P/O. Bernard Oliver Baldwin . Royal Air Force 158 Squadron (d.24th May 1944) Bernard Baldwin was a Pilot Officer with 158 Squadron, Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve. He was 22 years old and the son of Frank and Olive Baldwin of Boardy Locks, Apsley. Bernard was born and educated in Apsley. He flew from RAF Lissett on Wednesday 24th May 1944 in a Halifax on a mission to Aachen. Unfortunately, his aircraft never returned. He had just passed his final interview for a commission as Flying Officer and the following Saturday was due to receive this promotion. His medals were however awarded posthumously to Pilot Officer Baldwin. The local paper reports that his mother, Mrs Olive Baldwin, had sent him £7 by post to help him purchase various necessities for the occasion. "The money is in the post now", she told the Observer. "He had striven so hard to become an officer".
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