116391 – Flight Lieutenant – KIA 30/7-1944 (at 22) – Runnymede Memorial, Surrey, UK

[Source: CG, CWGC]

Name: BAKER, HUGH ANTHONY BALLANTINE
Initials: H A B
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Flight Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve
Unit Text: 97 Sqdn.
Age: 22
Date of Death: 30/07/1944
Service No: 116391
Additional information: Son of the Revd. Edgar Arthur Charles Ballantine Baker, M.A., LL.B., and of Grace Mary Baker (nee Hemsley), of Kellitts, Jamaica, British West Indies.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 201.
Memorial: RUNNYMEDE MEMORIAL

Baker, Hugh Anthony Ballantine
Lancaster NE121 30th July 1944 Mission to Cahagnes

T/O 05.45 from Coningsby to attack enemy strong-points in the Normandy Battle Zone. Set on fire in the port inner engine, the blaze soon spreading to engulf the entire wing. The order to bale out was given and at 0800 the Lancaster crashed SE of St Lo in the Department of Manche.

Of those killed three have no known graves, while the others are buried in the Bayeux War cemetery. Those holding the DFM had their Awards promulgated 12Jan43, 7Dec43, 15Feb44 and 16Nov43 for service with No.142 Sqdn, No.619 Sqdn, No.51 Sqdn and No.158 Sqdns respectively.

F/L Baker, a veteran of 51 sorties, was the son of the Revd. E.A.C.B.Baker of Kellitts in Jamaica.

F/L H A B Baker
W/O W H Hunter PoW
S/L P A Stevens DFC & Bar RAAF PoW (‘B’ Flight Commander was flying as P2)
F/O J W Oldham DFM +
P/O E H F Moore DFM Inj (confined to hospital due to injuries)
P/O H Glasby DFC RAAF +
F/O G E W.Howells +
F/S J S Mitchell DFM +
F/S L A Lenox DFM +

Reported as Died on Active Service, so illness or non-operational accident
[Source: www.WW2chat.com]