Charles George Baker
Encyclopedia
Charles George Baker VC
(8 December 1830 – 19 February 1906) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
and Commonwealth
forces.
Baker's first exploit was to sail 500 miles in an open boat to obtain rescue for the crew of the P&O ship SS Duro which was wrecked in 1854. Afterwards he joined the Bengal Police Battalion when he was caught up in the Indian Mutiny.
He was 27 years old, and a lieutenant
in the Bengal Police Battalion, Bengal Army
during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 27 September 1858 at Suhejnee, near Peroo, Bengal
, for which he was awarded the VC:
(See also George Bell Chicken
)
After the Mutiny he served as a senior Police officer in Bengal. After leaving India he served with Valentine Baker
for Turkey
in the Russo-Turkish War and was taken prisoner by the Russians. He then went with Baker to Egypt
where he succeeded Valentine Baker as head of the Egyptian police force with the rank of Lewa
Pasha
.
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
(8 December 1830 – 19 February 1906) was a recipient of the Victoria Cross
Victoria Cross
The Victoria Cross is the highest military decoration awarded for valour "in the face of the enemy" to members of the armed forces of various Commonwealth countries, and previous British Empire territories....
, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
and Commonwealth
Commonwealth of Nations
The Commonwealth of Nations, normally referred to as the Commonwealth and formerly known as the British Commonwealth, is an intergovernmental organisation of fifty-four independent member states...
forces.
Baker's first exploit was to sail 500 miles in an open boat to obtain rescue for the crew of the P&O ship SS Duro which was wrecked in 1854. Afterwards he joined the Bengal Police Battalion when he was caught up in the Indian Mutiny.
He was 27 years old, and a lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the Bengal Police Battalion, Bengal Army
Bengal Army
The Bengal Army was the army of the Presidency of Bengal, one of the three Presidencies of British India, in South Asia. Although based in Bengal in eastern India, the presidency stretched across northern India and the Himalayas all the way to the North West Frontier Province...
during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place on 27 September 1858 at Suhejnee, near Peroo, Bengal
Bengal
Bengal is a historical and geographical region in the northeast region of the Indian Subcontinent at the apex of the Bay of Bengal. Today, it is mainly divided between the sovereign land of People's Republic of Bangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal, although some regions of the previous...
, for which he was awarded the VC:
(See also George Bell Chicken
George Bell Chicken
George Bell Chicken VC was an English recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces...
)
After the Mutiny he served as a senior Police officer in Bengal. After leaving India he served with Valentine Baker
Valentine Baker
Valentine Baker , British soldier, was a younger brother of Sir Samuel Baker.-Biography:...
for Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
in the Russo-Turkish War and was taken prisoner by the Russians. He then went with Baker to Egypt
Egypt
Egypt , officially the Arab Republic of Egypt, Arabic: , is a country mainly in North Africa, with the Sinai Peninsula forming a land bridge in Southwest Asia. Egypt is thus a transcontinental country, and a major power in Africa, the Mediterranean Basin, the Middle East and the Muslim world...
where he succeeded Valentine Baker as head of the Egyptian police force with the rank of Lewa
Liwa (arabic)
Liwa or Liwa is an Arabic term meaning district, banner, or flag, a type of administrative division. It was interchangeable with the Turkish term "Sanjak" in the time of the Ottoman Empire. After the fall of the empire, the term was used in the Arab countries formerly under Ottoman rule...
Pasha
Pasha
Pasha or pascha, formerly bashaw, was a high rank in the Ottoman Empire political system, typically granted to governors, generals and dignitaries. As an honorary title, Pasha, in one of its various ranks, is equivalent to the British title of Lord, and was also one of the highest titles in...
.