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.
Harsh wartime lessons led to soft spot for migrants
Menu Dinner 717
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
October Dinner 717
Invitation to the October Dinner
Members are advised that the 717th meeting
will be on
Thursday October 20th 2011
At
Sovereign Hill
Charlie Napier Restaurant
At 7.00pm
Food Master: Rob Campbell
Wine Master: Jim Patterson
Dress Lounge Suit
Guests are most welcome
Electronic banking via account:
ANZ BSB 013 520 ACCOUNT 008699266 is recommended.
Cost $120 per person
Reply to Rob Campbell
mailto:racam@westnet.com.au
RSVP Monday October 17th
Joint Convention W&F Societies of NZ & Australia
19/09/2011
Dear Member Societies, on behalf of the Federations of Wine and Food Societies of Australia and New Zealand, it is my great pleasure to send all of our Member Societies a brochure and invitation for the third joint Convention of the Federation's, to be held at the very picturesque Hawke's Bay NZ in April next year.
Would you please kindly distribute this invitation and brochure to your members. I have no doubt it will be a great Pre-Convention and Convention. The organising committee have done an enormous amount of work to put on a great event, and to showcase Hawke's Bay. As it is priced in New Zealand Dollars, it also represents excellent value when paying in Australian dollars.
The Pre-Convention starts on Thursday with a tour of the growing area of Grimblett Gravels, followed by a tasting of a number of wineries from the region to be held at Trinity Hill Winery.
Friday starts with a tour of the well-known Art Deco buildings of Napier, followed by lunch at the stunning Cape Kidnappers golf course.
The Convention formally starts Friday evening with registration followed by dinner at Mission Estate, the oldest winery in New Zealand. Saturday starts with a tasting at Beach House, then on to Clearview Winery for a vineyard lunch.
Saturday night is the formal dinner of the convention, medals and decorations to be worn. This is followed on Sunday by the last event for the Convention, a casual lunch at Ormlie Lodge built in 1899.
I encourage your members to attend, as I have no doubt it will be a great Convention and it is also an opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues from other Member Societies. It also presents the opportunity to spend time to travel around New Zealand, either before or after the Convention.
If you have any questions please do not hesitate to contact me, my mobile is 0418 326242, or email
nevilles@rprn.com.au.
Cheers
Neville Smethurst
President
The Federation of Wine and Food Societies of Australia Inc.
Additional copies of the registration form are at www.wineandfood.org.au/Miscellaneous/functions.htm
September Dinner 716
Menu for the 716th Dinner at Café Lekker September 15 , 2011
President Rob Campbell
Canapes:Tandoori Beef Kebab with minted riatta
Salt & Pepper Calamari with Salsa
Jean Baptiste Gunderloch Riesling Kabinett 2001
Soup :Cauliflower & Blue Vein Cheese Soup
Pooles Rock Hunter Valley Semillon 2009
Christian Moreau 1er Vaillon Chablis 2004
Entree: Slow roasted Pork Belly Risotto, Fennel & Baby Leeks
Mauro Veglio Barolo Vignet Arborina 2004
Main: Open Beef Wellington, Basil Arancini, mushroom duxelle, liver pate, smoked tomatoes & jus
Charles Melton Nine Popes GSM Barossa 1999
Chateau Du Trignon Gigondas Cote Du Rhone 1998
Dessert:Vanilla Poached Pear, chocolate case, crème Patisserie tart
Cote du Layon Moulin Touchais 1977
Espresso Coffee and Tea
Wine Master: Jim Patterson
Food Master: Phil Dover
Chef: Ben Veldhuis
September Dinner 716
Lekker is dutch for nice
F*cking is dutch for ?
Members are advised that the 716th meeting
will be on
Thursday September 15 2011
At
Cafe Lekker
11 Doveton St Nth.
Ballarat
At 7.00pm
Food Master: Phil Dover
Wine Master: Jim Patterson
Dress Lounge Suit
Guests are most welcome
Electronic banking via account:
ANZ BSB 013 520 ACCOUNT 008699266 is recommended.
Cost $120 per person
Reply to Phil Dover
mailto:doverpl@bigpond.com
RSVP Monday September 12th
Dinner 715 Menu
715th Dinner 18th August 2011
The WESTERN HOTEL
President : ROBERT CAMPBELL
CANAPES
Pork Scratching’s
Black Pudding on a Pig’s Ear Crouton.
Parfait of Pig’s Liver and Port
Majella Sparkling Shiraz NV
FIRST COURSE
Confit Pig’s Cheek, Shoulder and Finesse
Paringa Estate Pinot Noir 2006
Drystone Pinot Noir (C Otago)2002
SECOND COURSE
Dou of Belly and Fillet.
St Hallett Blackwell Shiraz 1998
Virgin Hills Cab Shiraz Merlot Malbec 1992
Consume
Pork Tea
DESSERT
Sticky Toffee Pudding
Seppelt Grand Muscat DB63
FOODMASTER Dean Stevens
WINEMASTER :Philip Dover
CHEF Paul Cosgriff
