Donovan Baker

Don Baker joined the Army from school in October 1978 and trained as a Recovery Mechanic in Bordon before being initially posted to Germany. He subsequently served with a variety of units in Germany and the UK including the Artillery, Cavalry, Infantry and Army Air Corps as well as in a number of REME 2nd line units. Don also saw operational service in Northern Ireland and Bosnia.

Don was a larger than life character who once you had met you could never forget. He had an immense pride in his trade and was an ardent supporter of the Recovery Mechanic reunion which he attended every year he possibly could. He attended the inaugural All Ranks reunion this year but unfortunately was too ill to go to the SNCO reunion in June. A family man, Don was also immensely proud of his sons Lewis and Benjamin. But it was Dons sense of humour and fun that really endeared him to everyone who knew him, in various messes he would often be the Nutty professor or other Eddie Murphy characters, he fancied himself as a bit of an Alexander O'Neil and George Benson lookalike and of course who could forget Don the Reggie DJ on the 3 Field Workshop Regimental radio in Bosnia 93. There are literally hundreds of stories of Don the Recy Mech, Don the vicious dog, Don in Bosnia and Don on Recy Camps amongst many other.

Donavan Baker was a one off the likes of which we may never see again, the Corps has lost a most dedicated member and all of us a truly good friend, Don was many things to many people but to me he will always be “my friend”.

John Sibley