James Mitchell Baker

Born in Stirling, Scotland, James Mitchell Baker was a career military man who served with the Union Defence Force in South Africa. Baker was also an athlete who ran in the marathon at the 1908 London Olympics but did not finish the race. He was a member of the Pretoria team that won the 1907 Transvaal Cross Country Championships. Unfortunately, because he was still on his way home from the London Olympics, he could not help them retain the Transvaal Cross Country Championship in 1908.

After studying at Stirling High School and Glasgow University Baker joined the Army in 1899, serving in the South African War. In 1902 he resigned his Imperial commission and joined the Transvaal service, serving in South West Africa, Egypt, and France during World War I. In 1916 Baker, who had reached the rank of major, was decorated with the Distinguished Service Order by King George V in his Birthday Honours. By 1919 Baker was a lieutenant-colonel and was made a Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for “valuable services rendered in connection with the War” in the King’s Birthday Honours. He was also an ADC (aide-de-camp) to both King George V and King George VI.

Baker initially retired in 1933 before being re-employed during World War II. He became a major-general in 1944, and finally a lieutenant-general in 1947, before retiring for good in 1948.

Personal Best: Mar – unknown.