The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. A C Baker

Aubrey Cyril Baker was born on 28th April 1919 in Bebington, Merseyside. He attended Rock Ferry High School then was employed by the Midland Bank.

He joined 610 Squadron Auxiliary Air Force as an Aircrafthand four years before the war. He later remustered as an Airman u/t Pilot.

After being called up on 24th August 1939, Baker was posted from 610 to 8 EFTS Woodley on 29th October as an AC2.

He moved to 9 FTS Hullavington on No. 18 Course on 18th April 1940 and on completion he rejoined 610 at Biggin Hill on 27th July.

With no experience of Spitfires, Baker and three other new arrivals were sent to 7 OTU Hawarden on the 29th.

Above: 610 Squadron in late 1940

F/Lt. J Ellis

Sitting on wing: P/O JG Lecky, Sgt. HR Clarke, Sgt. LR Carter, F/O CH Bacon, P/O GGF Draper, P/O BW Brown, Sgt. AC Baker, Sgt. WJ Corbin, P/O WA Douglas, Sgt. FG Horner

Standing: P/O AE Davies, F/Lt. PG Lamb, Sgt. RF Hamlyn, F/O COJ Pegge, P/O DE Mileham, F/Lt. ILMcG Hallam, F/O PJ Davies-Cooke, F/Lt. SC Norris, F/Lt. EBB Smith, Sgt. J Murray, Sgt. P Ward-Smith, F/Lt. DS Wilson

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After converting to Spitfires they rejoined 610 on 12th August. Baker claimed a Me109 destroyed on 24th August, shot down another Me109 and also probably destroyed a Me110 and a Do17 on the 29th and probably destroyed another Do17 on the 30th.

He was posted away to 41 Squadron at Hornchurch on 29th September 1940. On 20th October he probably destroyed a Me109 and probably another on 10h January 1941.

Commissioned in April 1941, Baker later went to the Middle East and joined 112 Squadron in the Western Desert in February 1942.

On 6th June Baker destroyed a Me109 and on 19th July he damaged a Ju88.

On completing his operational tour he was awarded the DFC (gazetted 4th December 1942).

Baker was released from the RAF in 1946 as a Flight Lieutenant.

He died in March 1978 in Birkenhead.