Lieutenant A.O. Baker RNZN: Information Required

[Linton]

I am trying to obtain some details on Lieutenant A.O.Baker of the RNZN.He was lost in HMS Turbulent in 1943.Can anybody help with any biographical detail please?
This is what I have so far:

Name: BAKER, ARTHUR OSMOND
Initials: A O
Nationality: United Kingdom
Rank: Lieutenant
Regiment/Service: Royal Navy
Unit Text: H.M. Submarine Turbulent
Age: 23
Date of Death: 23/03/1943
Additional information: Son of George Bartrum Baker and Gwendolen M. I. Baker, of Cave, Canterbury, New Zealand.
Casualty Type: Commonwealth War Dead
Grave/Memorial Reference: Panel 72. Column 3.
Memorial: PORTSMOUTH NAVAL MEMORIAL

[berry]

g'day Linton,with regard to A.O.Baker.In the 1939 navy list there are the following details,-
Baker A.O.
rank-cdt(cadet)
seniority- 1 Sep 1938.
He is listed under the R.N. alphabetical list of serving officers,not R.N.Z.N.
Not much,but hope it helps.
best regards
Sid

[Linton]

Thank you for your help.At least it is a start.His father seems to have been very busy reducing the rabbit population in NZ!

[Linton]

I have looked albeit briefly into the history of the RNZN and when this officer joined the service the RNZN didn't officially exist.I would imagine that he did not get the opportunity to transfer due to being on active service and his death shortly after.

[dennis a feary]

LINTON, here is the Submarine Service of Baker from his Record Card ;

BAKER. ARTHUR OSMOND. LIEUT. 28. 9.41.
1. 3.42.
DOLPHIN. 28. 9.41. ELFIN.
SPARE. 29.11.41. MEDWAY.
TRUANT. 31.12.41. MEDWAY.
MEDWAY 11. D.T.B.R.
TURBULENT. 17.10.42. LOST IN TURBULENT.

See also for Tubby Linton/TURBULENT, VC/Gongs Thread

Sadsac

[dennis a feary]

LINTON, and a little more on Lt BAKER ;

BAKER ARTHUR OSMOND LT NE NE RN SM TURBULENT
23.03.43 X 23 C
PORTSMOUTH 72 - 3 PORTSMOUTH 1 - 29
Son of George Bartram and Gwendoline M.I. Baker, of Cave, Canterbury, New Zealand.

Sadsac

[gcbaker]

Osmond Baker was my uncle. In 1938 he went from the farm at Cave to join the Royal Navy as a cadet. My understanding is that one or two were chosen each year from New Zealand and the selection process involved an interview with the Prime Minister. Is there any particular information you require? Geoff Baker

[Linton]

Hello and thank you for joining in this discussion.I am interested in JW Linton and the submarine Turbulent.Your relative was lost with the submarine and I would appreciate any biographical information you can supply about him,especially if you have a photograph.I am trying to build a picture of all those who were aboard the submarine at the time of the loss.I woild be especially interested if any family correspondence survives in which your relative discuses his submarine career or his Commanding Officer.

[otmooron]

Hi

A.O. Baker was also my uncle. My father wrote a brief biography of him before he died, which may be useful

Arthur OSMOND Baker was born in Timaru on 13 January 1920, and christened in St Martin’s Church, Albury on 15 February 1920 by the Reverend Stanley Hinson.

OSMOND, after being a prefect at Timaru BHS, won a special entry cadetship to the Royal Navy in 1938, and was lost in the Mediterranean Sea as a Lieutenant (second in command) in HM Submarine Turbulent on (or about) 23 March 1943. It was for the Turbulent a special war-time mission for which Osmond had foregone the home leave for which he was due. His service medals are held in the Memorial Library at Timaru BHS, and his name appears on memorials at Cannington School, on the Cave Hill, in All Saints’ Church Cave, and in St Mary’s Church Timaru.

Kind regards
Mike Baker

[Linton]

Mike thank you for the information.Your cousin sent me a photograph of Lt.Baker as a midshipman.If you live in New Zealand would you be able to access any of the memorials and the decorations and photograph them for me please?