Raymond Douglas Baken (NZ9110)
Raymond was born on November 1, 1927 and joined the New Zealand navy in 1943 at the age of 16. After training at HMNZS Philomel he joined HMNZS Gambia as wireless operator in the British Pacific Fleet. Raymond later served in the Mediterranean on board the HMNZS Hawea, a Loch-class frigate and was part of the crew that won the Hamilton Cup. That would have been in 1950, as that was the first time that it had not been won by a crew from the shore establishment HMS St Angelo. Raymond stayed in the NZ navy until 1951 and was discharged with the rank of Leading Telegraphist.
Sadly, Raymond died peacefully at Riverstone Retirement Care Home, Palmerston North, New Zealand, with his wife by his side on June 2, 2024, aged 96. His obituaries can be found on the Manawatu Standard and Auckland Museum Cenotaph Record sites.
Ray Baken during training at HMNZS Tamaki in 1944 aged 16 and again in 2014 aged 86.
The latter photo was taken for the ANZAC Veterans Portrait Project by NZIPP.
His daughter, Christine, sent some photos from Raymond's albums. Unfortunately they were quite small, hopefully we can get better ones at some time in the future.
Government House, Tokyo and at Fujiyama, Yokohama
With Buzz and Coleman