Thomas Charles Richmond Baker was born to Richmond and Annie Martha Baker on 25 April, 1897. He was educated at St Peter’s Collegiate School in Adelaide and prior to enlisting was employed a bank clerk. Assigned the rank of Gunner and attached to the 16th Battery, 6th Field Artillery Brigade, Baker sailed with the 1st Reinforcements on HMAT Persic on 22 November, 1915. As a Gunner in 1917, he was awarded the Military Medal and again later that same year was awarded a Bar to the Military Medal before transferring in October 1917 to the 4th Squadron, Australian Flying Corps, a much coveted appointment for Baker. A passionate airman who was most at home in the cockpit, Baker was appointed to the rank of Captain and as a flight-commander piloted both Sopwith Camel and Sopwith Snipe aircraft on a range of dangerous operations over France, Belgium and Germany.
A highly respected and decorated pilot at 21, Thomas Baker was reported killed in action, whilst on an offensive patrol over Belgium on 4 November, 1918. He died ten years to the day that his father passed away. He is buried at Escanaffles Communal Cemetery, Hainault, Belgium. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded posthumously to Captain Baker on 23 May, 1919. He was one of the last Australians killed in action during the First World War.