Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War Palestine operations kite balloon officer’s D.F.C. group of four awarded to Captain L. W. Baker, Royal Air Force, late Honourable Artillery Company and Royal Flying Corps: on a single day in August 1918, he helped register gunfire on 32 enemy targets, a feat that kept him in the air for over 5 hours

Distinguished Flying Cross, G.V.R.; 1914 Star, with clasp (1348 Pte., H.A.C.); British War and Victory Medals (Capt., R.A.F.) generally good very fine (4) £2000-2500

D.F.C. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

Leonard William Baker, a Londoner, was born in December 1889, and saw action with the B.E.F. in 1914 as a Private in the Honourable Artillery Company. Afterwards transferring to the Royal Flying Corps, he was gazetted as a 2nd Lieutenant at the end of 1917, when he was appointed a kite balloon officer in the Middle East section. He subsequently witnessed active service in No. 21 and No. 57 Balloon Sections out in Palestine, and was advanced to Captain in September 1918. A glimpse of Baker at work is to be found in The War in the Air by H. A. Jones:

‘The work of observation, particularly for the fire of the Artillery has been helped by the balloon sections ... In July 1918 a new section No. 57 was added to the strength of the 21st Balloon Company and began work in the coastal area in August. During this month the three sections provided observation for 316 ‘Shoots’ with the Artillery, a majority of the targets being enemy batteries. As an example of work which could be done by one balloon observer it may be mentioned that on a day in August 1918 Lieutenant L. W. Baker helped to register gunfire on 32 enemy targets, a feat which kept him in the air for five and a half hours ... The methodical work of the balloon observer may not appear exciting, but it contributed a not unimportant share to the finasl victory.’

It was also extremely hazardous work.

The gallant Baker was placed on the Unemployed List in July 1919.