Baker, Victor Reginald
Personal Information
Rank | Sgt |
Forename(s) | Victor Reginald |
Surname | Baker |
Gender | M |
Age | 26 |
Decorations | |
Date of Death | 23-01-1942 |
Next of Kin | Son of John and Mary Baker, of Gloucester. |
Aircraft Information
Aircraft | Handley Page Hampden I |
Serial Number | AD754 |
Markings |
Memorial Information
Burial/Memorial Country | United Kingdom |
Burial/Memorial Place | Gloucester Old Cemetery |
Grave Reference | Plot B. Grave 9657. |
Epitaph | TILL MEMORY FADES AND LIFE DEPARTS HE LIVES FOR EVER IN OUR HEARTS |
IBCC Memorial Information
Phase | 1 |
Panel Number | 5 |
Enlistment Information
Service Number | 1310106 |
Service | Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve |
Group | 5 |
Squadron | 408 (Goose) |
Trade | WOp/AG |
Country of Origin | United Kingdom |
Other Memorials
Location | Village Centre, Linton on Ouse, North Yorkshire |
Country | United Kingdom |
Memorial Type | Stone Memorial and inscribed slate tablet |
Memorial Text | In memory of 408 (Goose) and 426 (Thunderbird) Squadrons of R.C.A.F |
Miscellaneous Information
The pilot, Sgt FARROW awarded an immediate DFM (5-2-1942) with following citation: "One night in January 1942, this airman was the pilot of an aircraft which bombed Emden. The aircraft was subsequently attacked and badly damaged by fire from two enemy fighters. F/Sgt Farrow received a slight wound in the leg and the remaining members of the crew were seriously woun ded. In the face of the harassing, F/Sgt Farrow ordered the crew to abandon aircraft. Unaware that his message had not been received, as the intercommunication system had broken down, and believing himself to be alone in the aircraft, he finally evaded his attackers and set an approximate course for England. Flying a badly damaged aircraft, on a dark moonless night, and with no instruments to aid him, F/Sgt Farrow eventually reached this country where he made a safe landing with the undercarriage retracted. By this skill and resolution, he saved both his aircraft and, unknowingly, his wounded crew. This airman has participated in many operational missions and had always shown courage and tenacity worthy of high praise". |
Casualty Pack Number Find Out More
AIR 81/11687 (P365546/42) |
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
The National Archives
Record of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1796/12 |
Summary of Events (Operational Record Book) AIR 27/1796/11 |
Fellow Servicemen
Last Operation Information
Start Date | 21-01-1942 |
End Date | 22-01-1942 |
Takeoff Station | Balderton |
Day/Night Raid | Night (29% moon) |
Operation | Emden |
Reason for Loss | The Hampden was badly damaged over Holland by enemy fighters, passed over the North Sea on one engine and finally belly landed on West Malling, Kent. |