Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner
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|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Daddy |
| Born | 3 June 1916 Nottingham, England |
| Died | 18 July 1944 (aged 28) Norway, Scandinavia |
| Allegiance | Canada, United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
Royal Navy |
| Years of service | 1929–1944 1939–1944 |
| Rank | Lieutenant commander |
| Commands held | No. 8 Torpedo Bomber Reconnaissance Wing 8 TBR Wing 827 Naval Air Squadron 812 Naval Air Squadron |
| Battles/wars | Second World War
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| Awards | Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches |
Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner (3 June 1916 – 18 July 1944) was a brave Canadian pilot in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He became a Lieutenant commander.
Roy was a hero in many important events. He helped with the evacuation of Dunkirk. He was also one of the few navy pilots who fought in the Battle of Britain. He even tested planes for the navy and appeared in a film. Roy is famous for leading an attack that badly damaged the German battleship Tirpitz.
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Early Life and Growing Up
Roy was born in Nottingham, England, on June 3, 1916. His father, Reginald Sydney Falkner, was a farmer serving in the Canadian Army. In 1917, Roy and his parents moved to Canada.
Roy grew up on a farm in Brandon, Manitoba. Later, his family moved to Broadview, Saskatchewan. When his father got a new job, they moved to Victoria, British Columbia. Roy went to Mackenzie Elementary School there. He also studied music and earned a music certificate in 1929.
In 1929, Roy joined the Royal Canadian Navy as a cadet. He was at the Esquimalt naval base. In 1930, he won a special scholarship. This allowed him to study at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth in England. At this time, he changed his last name to Baker-Falkner.
From 1934 to 1936, Baker-Falkner served on the ship HMS Kent. This ship was part of the China Station in Hong Kong. He saw training exercises where planes practiced attacking ships with torpedoes. In 1937, he returned to the UK. He became a specialist in flying torpedo and dive bomber planes. He was promoted to Lieutenant in 1939.
Fighting in the Second World War
When the Second World War began in 1939, Baker-Falkner was in Malta. He served on the aircraft carrier HMS Glorious. Later, his ship moved to Egypt. When Glorious was called back to England, Baker-Falkner joined a different squadron.
He flew missions over Europe, dropping mines in coastal waters. He also attacked German forces. He fought at Gravelines during the Dunkirk evacuation. He helped protect the soldiers being rescued. He also attacked German convoys during the Battle of France in 1940.
In the summer of 1940, Baker-Falkner and other navy pilots joined the RAF Fighter Command. This was during the Battle of Britain. He was one of the few naval pilots to take part in this famous air battle.
In April 1941, he helped deliver fighter planes to Malta. This was part of the Malta convoys. Malta was under siege, and these planes were desperately needed. He provided air cover for the ships HMS Argus and HMS Ark Royal.
The Attack on the Tirpitz
Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner led a major attack on the German battleship Tirpitz. This happened on July 17, 1944, during Operation Mascot. He led over 100 aircraft in this important mission. The attack severely damaged the Tirpitz.
Sadly, Baker-Falkner went missing during this operation. He was believed to have been killed in action.
How He is Remembered
Roy Sydney Baker-Falkner is remembered in many places. His name is in the Canadian Book of Remembrance. He is also honored on war memorials in British Columbia and England. His bravery and leadership during the war are not forgotten.
