Ned Baird

Brigadier-General Edward (Ned) William David Baird (1864–1956) was a cavalry officer the in the regular British Army and the reserve Territorial Force.

Following his service in the army, he became a successful horse trainer, wining the Grand National and the St. Leger. He was also a steward at the Jockey Club, a Deputy Lieutenant and a Justice of the Peace.

History
Born in 1864 Edward William David Baird attended Eton College before deciding to join the British Army in February 1885. Firstly in the 3rd (Prince of Wales's) Dragoon Guards but soon after transferred to the, junior but more socially prestigious, 10th (Prince of Wales's Own) Royal Hussars. He resigned his regular commission in February 1892.

In November 1896 Baird joined the Duke of Yorks Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars as a major, part of the reserve army. It was as a major that he was seconded for service with the Imperial Yeomanry, in January 1900, during the Second Boer War. The following year, 1901, he was promoted to lieutenant-colonel and given command of the Suffolk Hussars. After his five years in he retired from the reserve in December 1906, and was given the honorary rank of colonel in January 1907.

Having first registered his racing colours in 1887, he became a very successful horse trainer. His horse Playfair winning the 1888 Grand National, that was followed in 1907 when his horse Wool Winder won the St. Leger Stakes, and just missed out on winning the Epsom Derby. As a race horse owner he joined the Jockey Club, remaining a member for sixty-two years, and acted as a steward between 1904 and 1906.

During the First World War he was recalled to the army, in October 1914, and eventually given command of the 179th (2/4th London) Brigade, part of the 60th (2/2nd London) Division. The promoted to brigadier-general in May 1916. That November the division was warned for service overseas in the Salonika Campaign. But Baird now aged fifty-two was deemed too old for active service as a brigade commander and was replaced shortly afterwards. He was instead given command of the Welsh Reserve Brigade, in January 1917 until May 1918 when he finally retired from the army. His service was recognised in the victory honours list being invested as a Commander of The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire.

Post war Baird married Helen Cicely Kerr, in April 1939 fathering two daughters Rosemary Freada and Vida Jane. The family lived at Kelloe, Berwickshire in Scotland, and Baird became a Deputy Lieutenant of the county and a Justice of the Peace until he died 8 August 1956.