Charles George Baker
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Charles George Baker VC |
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|---|---|
 |
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| Born |
8 December 1830 Noacolly, Bengal, British India |
| Died | 19 February 1906 (aged 75) Southbourne, Dorset |
| Buried at | Christchurch Cemetery, Dorset |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/branch | |
| Rank | Major General |
| Battles/wars |
|
| Awards |
_ribbon.png){kind=small} Victoria Cross Indian Mutiny Medal
|
| Other work | Head of the Egyptian Police Force |
Major General and Lewa Pasha Charles George Baker VC (8 December 1830 – 19 February 1906) was a British Merchant Navy officer, a Bengal Army officer, a Turkish Army officer, and head of the Egyptian Police.
He was responsible for the rescue of the passengers and crew of the wrecked Steamship Douro. He was also a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He subsequently went on to serve in the Turkish Army, becoming a Major General and Lewa Pasha. Following this he became head of the Egyptian Police Force.
Charles George Baker was born in Noacolly (Noakhali), Bengal, British India on 8 December 1830 to John and Lydia Baker from Suffolk. John Baker was a Doctor in the East India Company's Medical Service. The young Baker was sent to England to be educated, attending schools in Halesworth and Lowestoft in Suffolk.
While an employee of the Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company in 1854, Baker was serving as Second Officer aboard the Douro, a passenger vessel. As the ship was sailing near the Paracel Islands it struck the north shoal and was wrecked. On 26 May, accompanied by seven volunteers, Baker took a Jolly boat and set out for Hainan which he estimated was 123 miles away. According to the log he kept, on arrival at the island of Hainan they were unable to locate signs of habitation, so the decision was made by him to head for Hong Kong. The first vessels they encountered on their journey turned out to be pirates who refused food, water, and other assistance unless the crew allowed themselves to be stripped of all valuables. The boat was able to escape, facing adverse weather conditions and taking on water.
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