Brian Edmund Baker

Brian Edmund Baker
Air Vice-Marshal Baker, first from left, at RAF Coastal Command, Northwood, World War II
Born	(1896-08-31)31 August 1896 Hertford, Hertfordshire
Died	8 October 1979(1979-10-08) (aged 83) RAF Hospital Nocton Hall, Lincolnshire
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	British Army Royal Air Force
Years of service	1915–1950
Rank	Air Marshal
Unit	Rifle Brigade No. 13 Squadron RFC No. 48 Squadron RFC
Commands held	No. 141 Squadron RAF No. 4 Flying Training School Aden Flight Experimental Section, Royal Aircraft Establishment No. 32 Squadron RAF RAF Gosport RAF Leuchars No. 51 Group RAF AHQ Iceland No. 16 Group RAF No. 19 Group RAF Air Headquarters East Africa RAF Transport Command
Battles/wars	World War I World War II
Awards	Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire Companion of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order Military Cross Air Force Cross Order of the White Lion (Czechoslovakia) War Cross (Czechoslovakia) Croix de Guerre (France) Polonia Restituta (Poland) Legion of Merit (USA)

Air Marshal Sir Brian Edmund Baker KBE, 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).

Baker was educated at Haileybury College between 1910 and 1914.

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, and received the Royal Aero Club Aviator's Certificate No. 1938 at the military flying school at Montrose on 25 October 1915. 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, flying the BE.2 aircraft.

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. Between June and November 1917 he gained 12 victories: