SSAFA steps up for D-Day Commando

07 June 2023

Second World War veteran, Ronald Baker, of Maldon, took part in the D-Day landings 79 years ago this week. He found himself in a spot of trouble again this year when the stairs to his home deteriorated so badly that he and his wife could not get in or out of their house. SSAFA stepped in to assist with the cost of replacement access.

Ronald served as a Commando in the WW2. He took part in the D-Day Landings as a Marine Commando at Sword Beach, and, after fighting in France and Germany, was recalled to the UK to HMS Jackdaw, out of Scotland. He was then sent to the Far East, travelling on HMS Orion, to take part in the clearing of Japanese held islands. After this he was stationed at HMS Golden Hind, in Australia, to await deployment. This was curtailed by the American bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, and the defeat and surrender of the Japanese. Ron returned to the UK and was demobbed in 1946.

Don Duncan, SSAFA Essex Divisional Secretary said: “Ron lives with his wife Maureen in an upstairs flat in Maldon. Access to the flat was via wooden stairs on the outside of the building, which had deteriorated beyond use, and Ron sought our help in getting them replaced. We were able to fund raise £6,842 for the replacement. It has been a long road, but the Builders, Bakers of Danbury, have just completed the stairs to a very high standard and kindly agreed to do the work ‘at cost’”.