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Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Gordon Douglas Russell Baird

In memory of:

Flight Sergeant Gordon Douglas Russell Baird

July 16, 1942

Military Service


Service Number:

R/95331

Age:

21

Force:

Air Force

Unit:

Royal Canadian Air Force

Division:

111 Sqdn.

Additional Information


Born:

September 6, 1920
Shoal Lake, Manitoba

Enlistment:

March 4, 1941
Winnipeg, Manitoba

Son of James Humphrey and Sarah Amelia (née Russell) Baird of Winnipeg, Manitoba. His family has mounted a plaque to he and his brother Nelson George Baird, who also lost his life in the Second World War. He was the husband of Mona Wheeler (remarried widow) of England. Brother of Warrant Officer Nelson Baird, deceased March 7, 1945, Charlie and Cecil Baird. Gordon enjoyed cycle races.

Flight Sergeant Gordon Baird was honoured on February 28, 1995 by the Province of Manitoba when it named Baird Bay on Baird Island for him. Baird Island is named for his brother Nelson Baird.

Commemorated on Page 56 of the Second World War Book of Remembrance. Request a copy of this page. Download high resolution copy of this page.

Burial Information


Cemetery:

OTTAWA MEMORIAL
Ontario, Canada

Grave Reference:

Panel 1. Column 5.

Location:

The Ottawa Memorial stands on the north-eastern point of Green Island in the City of Ottawa. Overlooking the northern branch of the Twin Falls of the Rideau River, it commands a panoramic view of the Ottawa River and the Gatineau Hills beyond. The Memorial commemorates those of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth who lost their lives while serving in units operating from bases in Canada, the British West Indies and the United States of America, or while training in Canada and the U.S.A., and who have no known graves. The main feature of the Ottawa Memorial is a sculptured terrestrial globe in bronze, 3 metres in diameter, on a base formed by three bronze beavers rising from the centre of an ornamental pool. The globe, of open lattice-work corresponding to the lines of latitude and longitude, on which the land masses are super imposed in low relief, is crowned by the Air Forces emblem of a bronze eagle with outspread wings. Two curved screen walls faced in limestone, bearing cast bronze panels on which the names appear, face inwards towards the globe. They are placed slightly off centre to allow a clear view through the Ottawa Memorial from the central steps on Sussex Drive and from the wide pathway. Two Air Force crest exist in the paving between the screen walls. A dedicatory inscription, in English on one screen wall and in French on the other, is incised in the stonework between the bronze name panels, which reads as follows:
1939 - 1945
In honoured memory of the men and women of the air forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and neighbouring lands and who have no known grave.

Information courtesy of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.

Digital Collection

Send us your images

  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– In memory of the men and women memorialized on the pages of the Winnipeg Evening Tribune. Submitted for the project, Operation: Picture Me.
  • Newspaper clipping– Memorialized on the pages of the Globe and Mail. Submitted for the project, Operation Picture Me
  • Photo of GORDON DOUGLAS RUSSELL BAIRD– Submitted for the project Operation Picture Me
  • Newspaper clipping– Marriage in November 1941.
  • Memorial– Remembering brothers lost … Brothers In Arms Memorial, Zonnebeke, BE … photo courtesy of Marg Liessens … May 2022
  • Memorial– Ottawa Memorial … In honoured memory of the men and women of the Air Forces of the British Commonwealth and Empire who gave their lives in Canada, in the United States of America and in neighbouring lands and seas and who  have no known grave. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Memorial– Flight Sergeant Gordon Douglas Russell Baird  as commemorated on the Ottawa Memorial, Ottawa, ON. Photo courtesy of Marg Liessens October 2023.
  • Commemorative Name Certificate - F/S Gordon Douglas Baird– Commemorative Name Certificate issued on February 28, 1995 by the Manitoba Government.
  • Photo of Gordon D. Baird
  • Photo of Gordon D. Baird (2)
  • Photo of the Baird Family– Back row (left to right): Charlie, Cecil, Gordon 
Front row: Sarah (mother), Jim (father), Nelson
  • Grave marker
  • Monument

Learn more about the Canadian Virtual War Memorial

To learn more please visit our help page. If you have questions or comments regarding the information contained in this registry, email or call us. For inquiries regarding the names and information found in the RCMP Honour Roll, please email the RCMP.

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