Benjamin (Ben) Baker

   

 

Born Benjamin Bakerspiegel. Was a Radio Operator with Ferry Command during World War II. Former Radio Inspector with the Department of Communications (DOC). Member of the Order of St. John Ambulance, bestowed by the Queen.

Né Benjamin Bakerspiegel. Était un opérateur radio avec Ferry Command pendant la Seconde Guerre mondiale. Ancien inspecteur radio au Ministère des communications (MDC). Membre de l'Ordre de l'Ambulance Saint-Jean, décerné par la Reine.

 

Benjamin Baker (Bakerspiegel) was born on February 3, 1923, in Toronto, Ontario

Benjamin Bakerspiegel (Baker)

Toronto 1941

Benjamin was a Radio/Signal Operator with Ferry Command during WWII

(Source: Ancestry.ca)

Royal Air Force (RAF) Ferry Command - 1942

The above photo was taken in Gander, Dominion of Newfoundland

Ben is first on the left in the back row

(Source: Ancestry.ca)

Royal Air Force (RAF) Ferry Command - 1944

The above photo was taken in Gander, Dominion of Newfoundland

Benjamin is the first person on the left (standing on the chair)

 Benjamin was a radio operator during flights from Gander to England and return.

(Source: Ancestry.ca)

 

 

 

In 1977, at age 54, Benjamin Baker became a

Member of the Order of St. John Ambulance, bestowed by the Queen

(Source: Ancestry.ca)

 

Radio inspector invested in order

Benjamin Baker, a radio inspector with the Department of Communications in the Ontario Region, was recently invested into the Order of St. John at Government House, Ottawa.

 

This honor is bestowed by the Queen to persons making an outstanding contribution in time and efforts to the work of the St. John Ambulance Service.

 

Mr. Baker had been a volunteer member of the St. John Ambulance in Toronto for 18 years. He now continues his good work as voluntary superintendent of the Toronto Ambulance Corps.

(Source: Spectralumni)

 

Benjamin Baker

Order of St. John Ambulance

(Source: Ancestry.ca)

 

 

Henry Klain talks about Benjamin Baker

When I first joined the Department of Communications I had the extreme good fortune of being placed under the tutelage of Ben in which (amongst other things) he provided on-the-job-training on the topic of General Public Interference (GPI).

 

Ben had a wonderful disposition and handled clients in such a special way.  Even when the scenario warranted no effective solution, the client would always be so appreciative and at times resulted in tea and cookies. I always admired his ability to provide such client satisfaction and brought a smile to my face.

 

Ben was involved in the St. John Ambulance and deeply involved in providing community services and first aid training.  He was the only one that I ever witness waxing the departmental vehicle by hand himself on weekends.  This was all so reflective in Ben’s strong and dedicated commitment to his family, friends and community.

 

Ben was a very supportive friend of mine, his memory and our time together continues to bring that smile to my face.  Thank you Ben.

 

Henry Klain

25 September 2014

 

Benjamin Bakerspiegel passed away at the age of 80 in Toronto on August 11, 2003

 

Obituary - Avis de décès

Benjamin (Ben) Baker

3 February 1923 - 11 August 2003

(Source: Spectralumni)

 

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