A former head of the Royal Navy in Scotland recently celebrated his 100th birthday. In reflecting on his remarkable life, he shared a harrowing experience of surviving a Nazi raid on the Arctic Convoy just days before his 18th birthday.
Vice-Admiral Sir Thomas Baird, the youngest of five children in a military family, was born on May 17, 1924, in Canterbury, Kent. Despite his family’s military background, he had a strong desire to forge his own path and opted to join the Navy. At the age of 13, he enrolled in Dartmouth College in Devon to pursue his dreams.
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He turned 100 years old on Friday and marked the occasion by hosting a family dinner party. Joined by his two children and their spouses, he reveled in the joyous celebration. When asked about the secret to his long and healthy life, he credited it to maintaining a disciplined routine.
Sir Tom embarked on his illustrious 41-year career in the Navy at the young age of 17. His journey commenced as a midshipman, the lowest rank in the naval hierarchy, serving on HMS Trinidad. This particular mission, known as the Arctic Convoy, was a symbol of solidarity with the Soviet Union in 1941, following Hitler’s violation of a non-aggression treaty signed two years prior.
The route posed significant challenges due to its close proximity to Nazi-occupied Norway and the harsh conditions. The sailors had to deal with treacherous ice formations around the ship’s mast, which had to be carefully removed using a blowtorch to maintain stability.
Sir Tom recounted, “The Trinidad sank on the eve of my 18th birthday, and there was no thought of celebrating. It was a serene day in the Arctic when the ship was evacuated at around midnight. Despite the late hour, it was still bright outside due to the time of year – May, 82 years ago.”
The ship was torpedoed by the destroyers, causing it to sink in a fiery blaze. As we anxiously waited, we were instructed to open the hatches to prevent the Germans from obtaining any classified information. Eventually, we were rescued from the ship by the final destroyer.
“I witnessed the ship sinking, with the final part being the stern descending into the water, accompanied by the propellers. During this moment, my friend managed to capture a photograph using a Brownie camera.”
As a teenager, she was evacuated to Iceland before eventually returning to Greenock, Inverclyde. Throughout her journey back home, she bravely donned a sealskin hat.
As he reminisced, memories flooded back of his mother scolding him for misplacing his luggage just before he departed to rejoin the Navy in Chatham, Kent.
Sir Tom, who has five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, decided to retire shortly before the Falklands War in 1982. During his retirement, he indulged in his favorite pastimes, such as playing golf and spending quality time with his beloved family. Additionally, he dedicated his time and expertise as the chairman of the Erskine Hospital for veterans, located in Renfrewshire.
I don’t take any regular medications, and I refrain from snacking between meals. Additionally, I maintain a consistent sleep schedule from 11pm to 6am. As for exercise, I don’t engage in any specific routines.
Sir Thomas Baird is a highly respected individual in his field.
Around 18 out of the 44 boys in his term at Dartmouth were tragically killed in their first postings in 1941 at the young age of 17, he revealed.
In 1965, he made the decision to permanently relocate to Scotland. This move came about after he met his wife, Angela, who hails from Symington, South Ayrshire. It is in this picturesque town that he has chosen to establish his home and where he resides to this day.
In 1979, his career reached its pinnacle as he assumed the role of Flag Officer, Scotland and Northern Ireland. During this time, he had the privilege of hosting esteemed guests like US president Richard Nixon and diplomat Henry Kissinger.
“My decision to join the Navy was influenced by the fact that most of my older relatives had served in the Army. However, I wanted to explore a different branch of the military, as no one in my family had been part of the Navy before. The Royal Air Force (RAF) was not an option for me at the time, as it had not yet been established. Throughout my time in the military, I had the opportunity to serve in various locations, including the UK, the Mediterranean, and the Far East.”
According to Sir Tom, he does not rely on any regular medications. He also mentioned that he follows a specific routine, which includes abstaining from eating between meals and getting a good night’s sleep from 11pm to 6am. In terms of physical activity, Sir Tom revealed that he does not engage in any specific exercises such as PT, runs, or going to the gym.
