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Ted-Baker1

A veteran interview with

Ted Baker

The war was pretty grim for Ted Baker and he saw some difficult things during his time as a telegraphist and cypher officer in the Royal Navy.

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About Ted Baker

Ted Baker joined the navy in January 1942. After basic training at Skegness and qualifying as a telegraphist, he deployed on patrol craft to Halifax, Nova Scotia. There, he joined a T-Class trawler for local defence, engaging in anti-submarine patrols and mine sweeping. He returned to Europe in time to take part in the D-Day landings, escorting convoys from Wales and Plymouth. After commissioning, he was on the way to the Far East when the war ended, so was subsequently involved in the repatriation of POWs from Hong Kong.

Reflecting on his naval service, Ted valued comradeship, especially on smaller ships, and recalled vivid memories of working with Canadian and Newfoundland seamen, especially one for whom he had to correspond with his girlfriend because he could not write. Post D-Day, Ted’s ship collected bodies from Omaha beachhead, a grim task that left lasting impressions. The noise from naval barrages was overwhelming. While a positive experience, like most veterans, he wishes it had never happened.

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Reviewed by:
Andy Voase

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Home | Veterans | Ted Baker

A veteran interview with

Ted Baker

Ted-Baker1

The war was pretty grim for Ted Baker and he saw some difficult things during his time as a telegraphist and cypher officer in the Royal Navy.

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Cite this interview:

MLA Style:
Baker, Ted. A Veteran Interview with Ted Baker. Interview by Unknown. Legasee, n.d. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ted-baker/. Accessed 13 Jun. 2026.
APA Style:
Baker, T. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Ted Baker [Interview by Unknown]. Legasee. Retrieved June 13, 2026, from https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ted-baker/
Chicago Style:
Baker, Ted. n.d.. A Veteran Interview with Ted Baker. Interview by Unknown. Legasee. Accessed June 13, 2026. https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ted-baker/
Harvard Style:
Baker, T. (n.d.). A Veteran Interview with Ted Baker. [Interviewed by Unknown]. Legasee. Available at https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ted-baker/ (Accessed: 13 June 2026)
Vancouver Style:
Baker, T. A Veteran Interview with Ted Baker [Internet]. Interview by Unknown. Legasee; n.d. [cited 2026 Jun 13]. Available from: https://www.legasee.org.uk/veteran/ted-baker/
An interview with

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Charles Bull spent 27 years in the Navy including service in Korea; he finished as a Warrant Officer

Charles Bull joined the Navy at 17 out of disillusionment with his initial career as a clerk, serving for 27 years and reaching Warrant Officer. His first ship assignment was HMS Kenya, where he worked in the pay office. The Kenya was never really in reserve, and most the ship's company were National Servicemen. During his time in Korea, he worked long hours, even more than during his defence stations. Bull and his team had to manage the pay documents for these servicemen, which was a major challenge. His Navy training was a stark contrast to his previous life, involving rigorous discipline and new responsibilities like preparing meals and seamanship training. He found the transition to ship life was challenging, with long hours and the need to catch up on paperwork. Despite the hardships, he found the experience valuable. He also talks about his first overseas experience in Malta, where he encountered cultural differences, including the taste of imported eggs and the presence of licensed prostitutes.
Service:
Interviewed by:
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An interview with

Bernard Cohen

Glory for the Korean people contributed by men such as Bernard Cohen who served with the Royal Navy during the Korean War.

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Service:
Interviewed by:
Martin Bisiker