COLONEL BAKER'S MILITARY SERVICES.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2122, 22 October 1875, Page 4

COLONEL BAKER'S MILITARY SERVICES.

Judged by his public career as an officer, rather than by his conduct as a "gentleman," the ultra-gallant Colonel ■was deservedly popular. He served with the 12th Lancers in the Kaffir war in 1862. In 1853 he served with an expedition sent against the Basuto chief '/ Mohesh," under General Sir George Cathcart (afterwards tilled at Inkermau); was present at the action of Berea under Colonel ITapier, with an advance party of a few' officers and about thirty men, out of which number all were killed but ten. Colonel Napier in his despatch says, " Cornet Baker behaved most gallantly." In 1854 he served in India in the 12th Lancers, when the regiment was suddenly telegraphed for to proceed to the Crimea. Marched through India and embarked for Suez. Marched across the desert to Alexandria, and went to the Crimea. "Was on the escort to the Commander-in-Chief at the siege of Sebastopol, and was present at the attack on June 18th, and at the battle of Tchernaya. Was present also at the final assault on September Bth. On September 9th, when part of the town was still occupied by the Russians, and when the principal forts and works were bping blown up by the enemy, he went, ■with an Engineer officer and two Eussian •deserters, to the White Barrack buildings in Sebastopol, which were supposed to be mined and about to be destroyed, and cut the trains of powder laid for that purpose. Proceeded to Eupatoria, and acted as aide-de-camp to Lord George Paget in the skirmishes which ensued while acting upon the enemy's communication anjfl cutting off the enemy's supplies to Sebastopool. Exchanged to the 10th Hussars after the war. In 1859 succeeded to the command of that regiment. In 1860 had leave of absence, and, for the purpose of gathering military information, proceeded to follow the operations in Italy under Garibaldi. In 1866, having leave of absence, he followed the operations of the Austrian army in the campaign against Prussia and Italy, both in Austria and Italy, for the purpo&e of gaining military information. In 1867, during the Fenian outbreak in Ireland, he was appointed to command the flying column formed in Tipperary, and received the thanks of General Lord Slrathnairn for the tact and energy he displayed. In 1870 he followed the operations of the Franco-German war and was present at the battle of Sedan, actions in front of Paiis, on the Loire, etc., gathering military information. In 1871 he was present with the Versailles army at the attack and week's fighting which resulted in the taking of Paris. Commanded the 10th Hussars from 1859 * to 1873, during which time the regiment was always reported on in the highest terms by His Hoyal Highness the Duke of Camoridge, Commander-in-Chief. On relinquishing the command of the 10th Hussars, diplomatic difficulties with Eussia relative to the Khivan campaign beiDg anticipated, and there being a want of geographical knewledge relative to the wild and unexplored Turcoman frontier north of Persia, he proceeded there in company with an Engineer officer (Lieutenant Gill), and at his own expense surveyed and reported upon a vast tract of most* dangerous country which had never before appeared on any map. In 1871, on his return from Persia, he was appointed Assistant Quartermaster-General at Aldershot.

The United Service Club has found it unnecessary to consider the case of Col. Baker, in consequence of a standing rule providing for the cessation of membership, in the event of a member ceasing to serve her Majesty.