The Airmen's Stories - Sgt. R D Baker

Ronald David Baker was born on 7th October 1916 at Bilston, Wolverhampton, the son of David Baker (1885-1939) and Florence Ann Baker (nee Emery 1884-1924).

His father suffered ill health after having a stroke while serving with the Royal Field Artillery in WW1.

RD Baker joined the RAF in October 1934 as an Aircrafthand. He later successfully applied for pilot training and arrived at 11 Group Pool St. Athan from 7 FTS on 9th September 1939.

He had married Olive Renee Plumley at Hitchin in July 1939.

After converting to Hurricanes he went to Digby on 6th October but was serving with 56 Squadron by early 1940.

Over Dunkirk he damaged a He111 on 27th May and another one two days later. On 13th July he claimed the destruction of a Ju87, he then had to make a forced-landing at Rodmersham following damage to his Hurricane, P2985, in a combat over the Channel.

Baker was killed on 11th August 1940. His Hurricane, N2667, was seen to fall away streaming glycol 15 miles off Walton-on-the-Naze. Baker had baled out and was picked up by a motor launch and transferred to the destroyer HMS Westminster.

Despite intensive treatment he did not recover and his body was landed at Sheerness. Reports at the time claimed that he had been shot down by a Spitfire but this is unsubstantiated.

(Reports below courtesy of and copyright the National Archives).

Baker was 23 and is buried in Letchworth Cemetery, Hertfordshire.