The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. B Baker

Barrie Baker, of Kings Norton, Birmingham joined the RAFVR for the duration of hostilities in September 1939. He later remustered as an Air Gunner and, after completing his training, was posted to 264 Squadron at Kirton-in-Lindsey in July 1940. After a period of night-fighting following heavy losses over Dunkirk, 264 moved south to Hornchurch on 21st August for daylight patrols.

Five days later Baker was flying with F/Lt. AJ Banham in Defiant L6985. They had just destroyed a Do17 over Thanet when they were attacked and shot down by Me109's. Their aircraft crashed two miles off Heme Bay. Banham baled out and was rescued furn the sea but Baker was never found.

Baker was 27 years old. With no known grave he is remembered on the Runnymede Memorial, Panel 11.

(Above image courtesy of Dean Sumner)