Six: Pilot Officer H. Baker, Royal Canadian Air Force, who flew in at least 33 operational sorties as a Halifax Wireless Operator with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron

1939-45 Star; France and Germany Star; Defence Medal, Canadian issue in silver; Canadian Volunteer Service Medal, with overseas clasp; War Medal 1939-45, Canadian issue in silver, together with Bomber Command Commemorative Medal, Normandy Commemorative Medal and R.C.A.F. lapel ephemera, very fine (lot) £200-£300

Harold Baker was the son of Mr and Mrs E. J. Baker of 306 Emma Street, Sarnia, Ontario, Canada. He joined the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1942, and after training as a Wireless Operator was posted to the UK at the end of the following year. Baker undertook subsequent training at No. 9 A.F.U., Llandwrog, No. 24 O.T.U., Honeybourne, and No. 1664 Conversion Unit, Dishforth. He was posted for operational flying with 420 (Snowy Owl) Squadron (Halifaxes) at Tholthorpe in June 1944. Baker flew in at least 33 operational sorties with the squadron, including: St. Martins; Bientque; Bamieres; Foret D’Eway; Thiverny; Nucourt; Caen; Ferfay; Hamburg; Eternois, 31 July 1944, ‘Good Prang. 16 x 500 Attacked By Me.109. Corkscrewed & Evaded’; Foret De Nieppe (2); Bois De Cassair; St. Leu D’Esserent; Le Hague; Foret De Chantilly; Foret De Mont Richard; Bons Tassilly; Brussels Aerodrome; Connantre Marshalling Yards; Marquise Mimoques; Le Havre; Castrop Rauxel; Osnabruck; Keil [sic], 15 September 1944, 1 x 2000 & 12 Cans. 12 Enemy Fighters Seen. Flak Hole in Nose. Good Prang. F/Lt. Motherwell Ditched. Picked Up 16.9.44’; Boulogne; Calais (2); Bottrop; Sterkrade; Bergen Norway, Submarines & Sub Pens; Dortmund and Bochum.

Baker advanced to Pilot Officer, and after completing his tour was posted to Warrington for repatriation.

Sold with the following related items and documents: Royal Canadian Air Force Observer’s and Air Gunner’s Flying Log Book (4 May 1942 - 9 October 1944); R.C.A.F. Operational Wings, with named Certificate, dated 10 February 1945; WAG R.C.A.F. Brevet, and two cloth ‘Canada’ shoulder titles; a number of photographs of recipient in uniform, including in the background during a royal visit from the King; newspaper cuttings, Christmas Cards and other ephemera.