Sir John Wakeling Baker
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, May 1942
NPG x85322
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Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation
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Air Chief Marshal Sir John Baker (03125)
John Wakling
b: 23 Oct 1897
r: 17 Dec 1956
d: 10 Mar 1978
GCB
- 1 Jan 1954, KCB - 1949 (CB -
11 Jun
1942),
MC - 26 Jul 1918, DFC - 20 Nov 1925,
MiD - 14
Jun 1945.
(Army):-
(T)
2 Lt: xx Feb 1916, (T)
Lt:
19 Aug
1917.
(RAF):-
(T) Lt: 1 Apr 1918, Fg Off:
1 Aug 1919 [1 Apr 1918], Flt Lt: 1 Jan 1924,
Sqn Ldr: 1 Feb 1932, Wg Cdr: 1
Apr 1937, (T) Gp Capt: 1 Mar 1940, (T)
A/Cdre: 1 Dec 1941, Act AVM: 7
Feb 1943, (T) AVM: 1 Dec 1943,
A/Cdre:
1 Dec 1944,
AVM: 1 Apr 1946, AM: 1 Jan 1949, ACM: 2
Jan 1952.
Sir John Wakeling Baker
by Bassano Ltd
bromide print, May 1942
NPG x85322
xx
xxx xxxx: Attended Royal Military Academy, Woolwich
xx Feb 1916: Officer, Royal Garrison Artillery.
xx
xxx 1916: Gunnery Liaison Officer, No 34 Sqn RFC.
20
Sept 1916: Observer, No 4 Sqn RFC.
23 Dec 1917: Flying Officer (Observer), RFC (Seniority from 25 Oct 1917)
3 Aug 1918: ?, No 28 Wing
27 Aug 1918: U/T pilot, No 37 TDS
23 Feb 1919: Pilot, No 8 Sqn.
1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Lieutenant
1 Oct 1919: Pilot, No 12 Sqn (Germany)
22 Apr 1921: Supernumerary (Non-Effective - Sick), RAF Depot
21 May 1921: Staff/Instructor, School of Army Co-operation.
23 Nov 1923: Pilot, No 28 Sqn.
21
Jan 1924:
Flight Commander, No 60 Sqn.
5
Apr 1928: Supernumerary,
Non-effective (sick), RAF Depot.
24
Jul 1928: Admin Staff, HQ ADGB.
20 Jan 1930: Attended RAF Staff College (Left Course early?)
25
Aug 1930: Flight Commander, No 54 Sqn
19
Jan 1931: Attended RAF Staff College
1
Jan 1932: Air Staff, Deputy Directorate of Staff Duties.
12
Jan 1935:
Supernumerary, No 33 Sqn. (Harts – UK/Egypt)
26
Jan 1935:
Officer Commanding, No 33 Sqn. (Harts – UK/Egypt)
5-24 Dec 1935: Admitted to the Military Hospital, Cairo
1 May 1936: Supernumerary, RAF Depot
18
Jan 1938: Attended Imperial Defence College
1
Jan 1939:
Directing Staff, RAF Staff College
25
Aug 1939: Air Staff, Directorate of Plans.
10
Jan 1940: Deputy Director of Plans
xx
Feb 1941: Director of Bomber Operations.
7 Feb 1943: SASO, HQ Air Forces in India
16 Nov 1943:
SASO,
HQ Air Command South-East Asia
1
Jan 1945:
AOC, No 12 Group.
xx
Jul 1946:
Director-General of Personnel.
1
Nov 1948: AOC in C, Coastal Command.
23
Jan 1950: C in C, Middle East Air Force.
17
Mar 1952: Deputy-Chief of the Air Staff.
1
Nov 1952: Vice-Chief of the Air Staff.
29 Nov 1952: Appointed Air ADC to The Queen.
9
Nov 1953: Controller of Aircraft, Ministry of Supply.
Born in Winnipeg, Canada, he was educated at Eastbourne College before entering the Royal Military Academy at Woolwich.
He gained RAeC Certificate No 4200 on 20 September 1916. In 1928, he conducted trials with oxygen equipment. He was a representative of the RAF at the funeral of King George VI.
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Personal Spitfire XXI of AVM J W Baker, whilst AOC, No 12 Group, Fighter Command |
Citation for the award of the Military Cross
Lt. John Wakeling Baker, R.G.A. and R.A.F.
For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in carrying out low-flying reconnaissances and contact patrols under heavy machine-gun, rifle and anti-aircraft fire, when he remained in the air for long hours, often under abnormally bad weather conditions and often in darkness or thick mist. On one occasion he fired into enemy troops and transport, causing great confusion, and remained over their lines taking notes until quite dark, when he returned with his machine riddled with bullets. On every flight he obtained most important information, which was dropped at headquarters, and throughout the period his work has been magnificent.
(London Gazette - 26 July 1918)
Citation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
In recognition of gallant and distinguished service carried out by the Royal Air Force in Waziristan, March 9, 1925 to May 1, 1925.
(London Gazette - 20 November 1925)
Recommendation for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross
This officer showed devotion to duty throughout the operations and set a high example to all ranks. He performed 69 hours of war flying as a pilot, which included 35 raids.
This page was last updated on 15/10/22
G B A Baker 
