Misplaced Pages

Harry Baxter: Difference between revisions

Article snapshot taken from[REDACTED] with creative commons attribution-sharealike license. Give it a read and then ask your questions in the chat. We can research this topic together.
Browse history interactively← Previous editContent deleted Content addedVisualWikitext
Revision as of 16:09, 24 January 2012 editSonofSetanta (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users4,972 edits military service history← Previous edit Latest revision as of 21:55, 13 September 2024 edit undoBerserker276 (talk | contribs)Extended confirmed users47,397 editsNo edit summary 
(86 intermediate revisions by 41 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{EngvarB|date=October 2013}}
Brigadier '''Henry Joseph Patrick "Harry" Baxter''' CBE, GM, KM (8 April 1921 - 10 January 2007) <ref>http://www.unithistories.com/officers/IndianArmy_officers_B01.html</ref>
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2023}}

{{Infobox military person
==History==
| honorific_prefix =
⚫ Harry Baxter was born a "child of the regiment" to the ].<ref>Doherty. In the Ranks of Death. ISBN 18441 5966-3 P37-8</ref> Despite being blind in his right eye as the result of a childhood shooting accident in ] he was determined to join the army in 1939. The medical officer who tested him was impressed to come across someone who was trying to cheat his way "into" the army that he passed him fit for the Indian Army. <ref>Doherty. In the Ranks of Death. ISBN 18441 5966-3 P37-8</ref> He gave up a scholarship place in Oxford University and was commissioned as a 2nd Lt. to the ] on 11 October 1942 with the number 363915. His Emergency Commission was changed to a Permanent Commission in the British Army on 25 May 1946 when he joined the ] as a Temporary ].<ref>http://www.unithistories.com/officers/IndianArmy_officers_B01.html</ref>
⚫ | name = Henry Baxter
| honorific_suffix =
| native_name =
| native_name_lang =
| image =
| image_size =
| alt =
| caption =
| birth_date = {{birth date|df=yes|1921|04|08}}
| death_date = {{Death date and age|df=yes|2007|01|10|1921|04|08}}
| birth_place = ], ], ]
| death_place =
| placeofburial =
| placeofburial_label =
| placeofburial_coordinates = <!-- {{Coord|LAT|LONG|display=inline,title}} -->
| nickname =
| birth_name =
| allegiance = {{flag|United Kingdom}}
| branch = {{army|United Kingdom}}
| serviceyears =
| servicenumber = 363915
| rank = ]
| unit =
| commands = ]
| battles =
| battles_label =
| awards =
| spouse = <!-- Add spouse if reliably sourced -->
| relations =
| laterwork =
| signature =
| website = <!-- {{URL|example.com}} -->
⚫ }}
] '''Henry Joseph Patrick Baxter''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|CBE|GM}} (8 April 1921 – 10 January 2007<ref name="unithistories.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.unithistories.com/officers/IndianArmy_officers_B01.html|title=Officers of the Indian Army 1939–1945 -- B|first1=Hans|last1=Houterman|first2=Jeroen|last2=Koppes|date=|work=World War II Unit Histories & Officers|accessdate=9 August 2015}}</ref>) was an Irish{{sfn|Ryder|1991|p=69}} born fourth generation soldier who overcame the handicap of being blind in one eye to join the army and rose to command one of the largest and most controversial regiments in the ].


===Punjab Regiment=== ==Indian Army==
⚫ Harry Baxter was born a "child of the regiment" to the ].{{sfn|Doherty|2010|pp=37-38}} Despite being blind in his right eye as the result of a childhood shooting accident in ], he was determined to join the ] in 1939. The medical officer who tested him was impressed to meet someone who was trying to cheat his way "into" the army that he passed him fit for the ].{{sfn|Doherty|2010|pp=37-38}} He gave up a scholarship place at Oxford University and received an emergency commission as a ] in the Indian Army on 11 October 1942 with the ] of 363915. Baxter's service in India was mostly wartime and he served in Burma.{{sfn|Ryder|1991|p=69}} His emergency commission was changed to a permanent commission in the British Army on 25 May 1946 when he joined the ] (RIrF) as a lieutenant.<ref name="unithistories.com"/><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=37577 |supp=y |page=2506 |date=21 May 1946}}</ref>
Baxter's service in India was mostly wartime and he served in Burma. <ref>The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?, Chris Ryder 1991 ISBN 0-413-64800-1 p69</ref>


===Royal Irish Fusiliers=== ===Royal Irish Fusiliers===
In 1947 he transferred to the RIF on a regular (permanent) commission and served in ], ], ], ] and finally ] where he was awarded a ] <ref>The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?, Chris Ryder 1991 ISBN 0-413-64800-1 p69</ref> During this time he spent four years on Extra Regimental Engagement (ERE) to ]'s staff. In 1947 Baxter transferred to the RIrF on a regular (permanent) commission and served in ], ], ], Germany and finally ] where he was ]{{sfn|Ryder|1991|p=69}}<ref>{{London Gazette |date=24 May 1957 |issue=41079 |supp=y |page=3157}}</ref> During this time he spent four years on Extra Regimental Engagement (ERE) to ]'s staff. Between 1963 and 1966 he was the commander of the ]'s depot in Eglinton Camp, ] and St Patrick's Barracks, ] and also spent a period as a staff officer with the ] before being appointed Brigadier UDR. He was appointed an ] in the 1968 Queen's Birthday Honours list.{{sfn|Ryder|1991|p=70}}

====George Medal====
Baxter was awarded the ] for his actions at ], ] when, as a major, he and Captain Henry Chavasse removed a viable bomb from outside the armoury and drove it to a safe place for disposal. The detonator of the bomb exploded whilst it was in transit but the device did not explode.{{sfn|Ryder|1991|pp=69-70}} <ref>{{London Gazette |issue=41632 |supp=y |page=1061 |date=10 February 1959}}</ref>


===Ulster Defence Regiment=== ===Ulster Defence Regiment===
Baxter assumed command of the controversial ] in April 1973 from Brigadier Denis Ormerod.<ref>ref>http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/47346/supplements/12788 London Gazette]</ref></ref> Like Ormerod, Baxter was a ] commanding a regiment which was predominantly ] during a time of intercommunal strife in ]. <ref>''A Testimony to Courage - the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 - 1992'', John Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0-85052-819-4 P102</ref> Baxter assumed command of the ] (UDR) in April 1973 from Brigadier ].<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=46046 |supp=y |page=9388 |date=7 August 1973}}</ref> Like Ormerod, Baxter was a ] commanding a locally raised and predominantly Protestant regiment during a time of intercommunal strife.{{sfn|Potter|2001|p=132}}


He was in command during the notable ] strike in 1974 which was considered to be a "turning point" in the regiment's history and "coming of age" comments listed by Major John Potter (the UDR historian) <ref>''A Testimony to Courage - the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 - 1992'', John Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0-85052-819-4 P ix (preface)</ref>{{failed verification|date=January 2012}} He was in command during the notable ] strike in 1974 which was considered to be a "turning point" in the regiment's history and "coming of age" comments listed by Major John Potter in his unofficial history of the regiment.{{sfn|Potter|2001|p=132}}
⚫ in his unofficial biography of the regiment. <ref>''A Testimony to Courage - the Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969 - 1992'', John Potter, Pen & Sword Books Ltd, 2001, ISBN 0-85052-819-4 P132</ref>


Having a brigadier as regimental commander was unusual in the modern British Army but the size of the Ulster Defence Regiment with its 11 ]s and over 9,000 men and women (at its peak) demanded an officer of higher rank than ].
===Miami Massacre===
⚫ Baxter was also the commander of the UDR at the time of the ] when several soldiers of the regiment were involved in the killing of musicians outside the town of ]. His comments at the time were:


⚫ Baxter was the commander of the UDR at the time of the ], when several soldiers of the regiment were involved in the killing of musicians outside the town of ].
:''a feeling of shame on the part of our own soldiers that this could have happened, a realisation that there were rotten apples in the barrel and couldn't something be done about it?''

He returned to the UDR in 1977 as colonel commandant of the regiment until 1986.<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=47346 |supp=y |page=12788 |date=10 October 1977}}</ref><ref>{{London Gazette |issue=50485 |supp=y |page=5183 |date=14 April 1986}}</ref>


==References== ==References==
{{reflist}} {{Reflist}}


==Bibliography==
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see ]. -->
*{{cite book|last=Doherty|first=Richard|author-link=Richard Doherty|title=In the Ranks of Death: The Irish in the Second World War|year=2010|publisher=]|location=]|isbn=978-1-84415-966-6|pages=37–8}}
⚫ | NAME = Baxter, Harry
⚫ *{{cite book|last=Potter|first=John|year=2001|title=A Testimony to Courage: The Regimental History of the Ulster Defence Regiment 1969–1992|publisher=Pen and Sword Books|location=Barnsley|isbn=0-85052-819-4}}
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
*{{cite book|last=Ryder|first=Chris|year=1991|title=The Ulster Defence Regiment: An Instrument of Peace?|publisher=Methuen Publishing|location=]|isbn=0-413-64800-1|url-access=registration|url=https://archive.org/details/ulsterdefencereg0000ryde}}
| SHORT DESCRIPTION =
| DATE OF BIRTH = 1921
| PLACE OF BIRTH =
| DATE OF DEATH = 2007
| PLACE OF DEATH =
⚫ }}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Baxter, Harry}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Baxter, Harry}}
] ]
] ]
]
] ]
]
] ]
]
] ]
]
] ]
] ]
] ]
]
]
]
]
]

Latest revision as of 21:55, 13 September 2024

Henry Baxter
Born(1921-04-08)8 April 1921
County Kilkenny, Ireland, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland
Died10 January 2007(2007-01-10) (aged 85)
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
RankBrigadier
Service number363915
CommandsUlster Defence Regiment

Brigadier Henry Joseph Patrick Baxter CBE GM (8 April 1921 – 10 January 2007) was an Irish born fourth generation soldier who overcame the handicap of being blind in one eye to join the army and rose to command one of the largest and most controversial regiments in the British Army.

Indian Army

Harry Baxter was born a "child of the regiment" to the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Despite being blind in his right eye as the result of a childhood shooting accident in India, he was determined to join the British Army in 1939. The medical officer who tested him was impressed to meet someone who was trying to cheat his way "into" the army that he passed him fit for the British Indian Army. He gave up a scholarship place at Oxford University and received an emergency commission as a second lieutenant in the Indian Army on 11 October 1942 with the service number of 363915. Baxter's service in India was mostly wartime and he served in Burma. His emergency commission was changed to a permanent commission in the British Army on 25 May 1946 when he joined the Royal Irish Fusiliers (RIrF) as a lieutenant.

Royal Irish Fusiliers

In 1947 Baxter transferred to the RIrF on a regular (permanent) commission and served in Palestine, Egypt, Greece, Germany and finally Malaya where he was Mentioned in Despatches During this time he spent four years on Extra Regimental Engagement (ERE) to Lord Mountbatten's staff. Between 1963 and 1966 he was the commander of the North Irish Brigade's depot in Eglinton Camp, County Londonderry and St Patrick's Barracks, County Antrim and also spent a period as a staff officer with the Berlin Brigade before being appointed Brigadier UDR. He was appointed an OBE in the 1968 Queen's Birthday Honours list.

George Medal

Baxter was awarded the George Medal for his actions at Gough Barracks, Armagh when, as a major, he and Captain Henry Chavasse removed a viable bomb from outside the armoury and drove it to a safe place for disposal. The detonator of the bomb exploded whilst it was in transit but the device did not explode.

Ulster Defence Regiment

Baxter assumed command of the Ulster Defence Regiment (UDR) in April 1973 from Brigadier Denis Ormerod. Like Ormerod, Baxter was a Roman Catholic commanding a locally raised and predominantly Protestant regiment during a time of intercommunal strife.

He was in command during the notable Ulster Workers' Council strike in 1974 which was considered to be a "turning point" in the regiment's history and "coming of age" comments listed by Major John Potter in his unofficial history of the regiment.

Having a brigadier as regimental commander was unusual in the modern British Army but the size of the Ulster Defence Regiment with its 11 battalions and over 9,000 men and women (at its peak) demanded an officer of higher rank than colonel.

Baxter was the commander of the UDR at the time of the Miami Showband killings, when several soldiers of the regiment were involved in the killing of musicians outside the town of Banbridge.

He returned to the UDR in 1977 as colonel commandant of the regiment until 1986.

References

  1. ^ Houterman, Hans; Koppes, Jeroen. "Officers of the Indian Army 1939–1945 -- B". World War II Unit Histories & Officers. Retrieved 9 August 2015.
  2. ^ Ryder 1991, p. 69.
  3. ^ Doherty 2010, pp. 37–38.
  4. "No. 37577". The London Gazette (Supplement). 21 May 1946. p. 2506.
  5. "No. 41079". The London Gazette (Supplement). 24 May 1957. p. 3157.
  6. Ryder 1991, p. 70.
  7. Ryder 1991, pp. 69–70.
  8. "No. 41632". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 February 1959. p. 1061.
  9. "No. 46046". The London Gazette (Supplement). 7 August 1973. p. 9388.
  10. ^ Potter 2001, p. 132.
  11. "No. 47346". The London Gazette (Supplement). 10 October 1977. p. 12788.
  12. "No. 50485". The London Gazette (Supplement). 14 April 1986. p. 5183.

Bibliography

Categories:
Harry Baxter: Difference between revisions Add topic