Reginald Clifford Baker

An Able Seaman with H.M.M.G.B. 77, Reginald died on 16th of July 1942 aged 22.

Reginald was born at Lowestoft on 13 December 1919, a son of Reginald Walter Baker and of Merab Baker. He was baptised at Saint Margaret’s Church on 8 January 1920 and his family lived at 17 ‘rear’ Park Road and this was still their address in 1921. By 1929, when Reginald’s father died, the family home was at 311 Raglan Street. Reginald’s mother remarried and in 1939 she lived at 24 Winnipeg Road. 

Reginald served with His Majesty’s Motor Gun Boat 77. This vessel was commissioned on 8 June 1942. 

Reginald was awarded a posthumous Mention in Despatches, London Gazette 8 September 1942. What is unusual is that this mention has a citation explaining Reginald’s gallantry. The context for the ward is that on 16 July 1942 a number of British motor gun boats attacked and sank a laden enemy tanker and severely damaged two escorting trawlers off the French Coast. The citation reads:
For great bravery as Gunner in one of H.M. Motor Gun Boats. In the face of intense fire from the enemy at point blank range, he stayed at his gun, turning a deadly fire on the enemy tanker, until badly wounded. 

Reginald died of his wounds at the Royal Navy Sick Quarters, Dartmouth.