F/L Michael Henry Parson Baker 51901

[AndrewClark]

Hi, I wonder if anyone can help me with this query please?
I am trying to trace the movements of a pilot, F/L Michael Henry Parson Baker 51901, who served with No.630 Squadron during 1945. This Squadron’s ORB shows him as being posted out of the Squadron on its disbandment, but I can find no record of him being posted in, or of him flying any operations with it. I know that the ORB entry regarding his departure is correct, because the ORB for No.1690 B(D)TF records that he was posted into that unit (from No.630 Squadron) for flying duties on 26/07/1945 – just a few days after No.630 had disbanded.
Answers on a forum please - any help welcome. Cheers, Andrew

[megan]

Listed under General Duties Branch, the London Gazette has him promoted Sgt to Pit. Of. (prob) on 28/3/1943.

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36044/supplement/2616/data.pdf

Pit. Offs. (prob.) to be Fig. Offs. on prob. 28/9/1943

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36192/supplement/4359/data.pdf

Promoted Flg Off to Flt Lt 28/3/1945

https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37042/supplement/2094/data.pdf

[Lordflasheart]

...
His RAF Service number appears to be 656909. Numbers within the group 655000 to 679899 were apparently issued to those transferring from the Army around Jan 1939. So what is the 5-digit number that many of his contemporary Gazette entries show ?

If as you say, he didn't fly on any ops, is it certain he was a pilot ? Or did he have some other special qualification ?

You could try looking at Lieut MHP Baker P/365285 Royal Corps of Signals (date 1948) who might (or might not) be the same bloke.

LFH

[Innominate]

what is the 5-digit number that many of his contemporary Gazette entries show ?

NCOs who were commissioned received a new service number, so he went from 656909 to 51901 and (if it's the right chap) apparently went back to the Army post-war, which meant another new number!

[AndrewClark]

Thanks for all your help. Although it is possible that he was ex-Army, I think I have enough on my plate at the moment in trying to ascertain what he did in his RAF career! He is listed as 'GD(P)' so I'm pretty certain that he was a pilot - and was for posted to No.1690 B(D)TF 'for flying duties'. It has been suggested to me that he arrived at No.630 Squadron very shortly after VE Day - by which time the attention to record keeping was perhaps being seen as less important! I will keep digging. Thanks again to all, Andrew.

[Lordflasheart]

The original (long) service number info (as 'transferring from the Army in 1939 ...') was taken from an authoritative source. Have you tried getting hold of his various official service records - depends on whether you are a relative or if he is long deceased etc. etc