BWFS: October 2011

KENNETH DAVID BAIRD,
DFC
PILOT, SOLICITOR
30-4-1914 -15-9-2011
By ANDREW BAIRD
and JILLlAN FOWLER
The vagaries of life dictated that Ken Baird be born on the kitchen table of his parents' house in Ballarat and that he should die peacefully 97 years later at
his home of 51 years just four doors down from his birthplace in Webster Street.
In between, he survived tours of duty as a bomber pilot in the Mediterranean region and over Europe in World War II when attrition rates over such a prolonged period were akin to survivors winning the lottery.
He became the first Australian flight commander of RAAF 460 Squadron operating under
Bomber Command in Britain, and went on to command a Royal Air Force base Church
Broughton in Derbyshire.
Anyone who has visited the Australian War Memorial in Canberra would have seen the
four-engined Lancaster bomber "G" for George on display; Ken flew a stand - in "G" for George on a bombing raid over Mannheim in south-western Germany on August 9, 1943.
He flew 25 bombing raids over Europe and 56 around the Mediterranean, logging more
than 300 operational hours during his two tours of duty. This was a rarity at a time when aircrew in 460 Squadron, which suffered the largest number of casualties, survived an average of just five operations.
As flight commander, he sent his aircrew out almost every night knowing one or two air-craft would not return. Such were the odds of being shot down that by the time he had completed six sorties as flight commander, he was that flight's longest surviving pilot. The statistics of 460 Squadron, rated the most efficient RAAF unit during the war because of the high serviceability of its aircraft and (amazingly) aircrew, tell the brutal story: it operated the most raids of any RAAF squadron, and was credited with the greatest tonnage (24,856 tons) of bombs dropped. It also lost 181 aircraft on operations and 1018 aircrew were killed, of whom 589 were Australians the highest toll of any RAAF unit.
That Ken survived, especially early in his deployment, is testament to his skill and the afore-mentioned vagaries of life. So desperate was the need for front-line pilots that he had just 50 hours dual and 38 hours solo flying experience when he
entered the fray. He would later described himself as "under trained"; pilots would later have more than 200 flying hours before becoming operational.
He was blooded during a four-month deployment to Malta, from where he flew initially as co-pilot on bombing raids over North Africa, Sicily, Italy and one flight to Greece.
Ken, the youngest of five children, was born in Ballarat to Eleanor and Robert Baird. His father was a solicitor who started Baird & Baird in 1898, and was still practising when he died in ~57 at the age of 87. Ken was-educated at Ballarat
College, and completed the last two years as a boarder at Scotch College in Melbourne, before going on to Melbourne University as a resident at Ormond College. A talented oarsman, he rowed with Ballarat, Scotch and Ormond colleges as well as Melbourne University, where he gained a rowing blue. His passion for rowing never diminished.
He completed his law degree in 1938 and returned to the family law firm in Ballarat, before joining the air force in 1940. He would laugh and say he joined the air force because the recruiting office was closer than the army's yet another vagary.
He was sent to Sydney and Narrandera for basic training before being shipped to Canada in 1941 for further flying training as part of the Empire Air
Training Scheme. In August 1943, Ken was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, which was form- ally presented to him at Buckingham Palace by King George
VI. The citation noted that he had pressed home his attacks with calmness andcourage on targets such as Dusseldorf, Essen and Duisburg despite intense opposition.
In 1944, he was promoted to the rank of wing commander, and later that year appointed commanding officer of the RAF Station, Church Broughton. During that period his duties included assessing candidates for their suitability to be com-
missioned. When he heard one particular candidate had studied law, he asked him: "What is a tort?" "Sir, it's a civil wrong," replied the candidate, and was
immediately judged as perfectly suited to be an officer. Kenneth Marks, who went on to be a judge of the Supreme Court, never let him forget it when he later visited the Ballarat circuit.
In yet another of life's twists, shortly after he had returned from the war, Ken was visited by two men in suits. They invited him to stand as the local member for the National Australia Party (later the Liberal Party). He declined, informing them that he supported Labor. Apparently, as Ken would tell it, they went off and found "a young chap" from the bush called Henry Bolte who went on to become Victoria's longest-serving premier.
Ken, for his part, resumed work as a solicitor, later becoming a partner at Baird & Baird, working with his father, Robert, and uncle, Matthew, a member
of the Victorian Parliament.
For many decades he contributed to Ballarat College in an honorary capacity as rowing coach, secretary and president of the Old Collegians, and as secretary and chairman of the School council. He was council chairman in 1974 when the decision was made to amalgamate Ballarat College with Clarendon College.
When he retired as council chairman in 1984, Ken had served the school in a number
of capacities over a 45-year period. He was instrumental in establishing and supporting the college's first funding appeals at a time when it was struggling
financially and receiving little government assistance.
He was also a friend and mentor to four consecutive principals, and the Ballarat
Clarendon College boatshed is named after him.
The senior partner at Baird & McGregor for many years, he was a man of high principles. His word was his bond.
Ken was also a generous man who trusted people. He lent money to migrants from post- war Europe who wanted to buy a home or business; his wartime experiences gave him great empathy for the hardships many of the migrants had suffered, including difficulty in getting bank loans without backing. His "helping hand" initiative was the beginning of Ballaratfinancecompany Webster Investments, now W&D Finance.
An early conservationist, Ken had a keen interest in the environment, a great love of bird-watching, and a broad knowledge of Australian flora and fauna.
He was an early member and later president of the Ballarat Wine and Food Society, on the board of management of St Andrew's Kirk and president of the Ballarat branch of the RAAF Association, among his other community contributions.
Ken is survived by Joy, his wife of 63 years, daughter Jillian Fowler,· son Andrew, a third generation partner of Baird & McGregor, as well as six grand-children.

717th Dinner – 20th October 2011

SOVEREIGN HILL THEATRE RETIRING ROOM

President: Robert Campbell

CANAPES
Blue Cheese Arancini
Tartlet of Rare Beef, Caramelised Onion and Aioli
Seppelt GW Show Sparkling Shiraz 1987

ENTRÉE
Asparagus and Herb Salad with a Crisp Crumbed Poached Egg
Chateau Carbonnieux (Graves)2005
Ch du Layon 'Les Pastourelles'2002

MAINS
Spicy, Crisp fried Octopus Salad with a Sweet Chilli Dressing
Venison Fillet with a Tea Smoked Tomato, Portabello Mushrooms with a Sage Brown Butter and Celeriac Remoulade
Moss wood cabernet 1999
Birks wendouree cellar Cabernet sav Malbec 1999
Tamar Ridge Pinot noir 2002

DESSERTS
Caramel and Chocolate Tart with Pistachio Praline and Whipped Cream
Seppelts Grand Tokay DP 57

Food Master: Rob Campbell
Winemaster : Phil Dover
Chef :Belinda Underwood

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