Charles George Baker

Charles George Baker (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: "For gallant conduct on the occasion of an attack on the rebels at Suhejnee, near Peroo, on the 27th September, 1858, which is thus described in this officer's own words. “The enemy (at the time supposed to have mustered from 900 to 1000 strong in infantry, with 50 cavalry,) advanced. Without exchanging a shot, I at once retired slowly, followed up steadily by the rebel line for 100 yards clear of village or jungle, when, suddenly wheeling about my divisions into line, with a hearty cheer, we charged into and through the centre of the enemy's line, Lieutenant Broughton, with his detachment, immediately following up the movement, with excellent effect, from his position upon the enemy's left. The rebel right wing, of about 300 men, broke at once, but the centre and left, observing the great labour of the horses in crossing the heavy ground, stood, and receiving the charge with repeated volleys, were cut down, or broke only a few yards ahead of the cavalry. From this moment, the pursuit was limited to the strongest and best horses of the force, numbering some 60 of all ranks, who, dashing into and swimming a deep and wide nullah, followed the flying enemy through the village of Russowlee, and its sugar-cane khets, over two miles of swamp, and 500 yards into the thick jungles near Perob, when, both men and horses being completely exhausted, I sounded the halt and assembly, and, collected my wounded, returned to camp at Munjhaen about 6PM.” The charge ended in the utter defeat of the enemy, -and is referred to by Lord Clyde as “deserving of the highest encomium, on account both of conception and execution”. It is also described as having been “as gallant as any during the war”."

(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.