A retired leader of the Royal Navy in Scotland recently marked his 100th birthday, reflecting on a remarkable moment from his youth when he narrowly escaped a Nazi attack on the Arctic Convoy just days before turning 18.
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 lead a separate life and chose to join the Navy. At the age of 13, he enrolled in Dartmouth College in Devon to pursue his passion.
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He marked his 100th birthday on Friday by hosting a family dinner party with his two children and their partners. When asked about the secret to his long life, he credited his strict routine.
Sir Tom embarked on his impressive 41-year Navy career at the age of 17. He started as a midshipman, the lowest rank in the Navy, serving on HMS Trinidad. This was during the Arctic Convoy, a mission that aimed to show support to the Soviet Union in 1941. This mission was particularly significant as it was a response to Hitler’s violation of a non-aggression treaty made two years prior.
The route posed significant challenges as it was located near Nazi-occupied Norway. Additionally, the harsh conditions made it even more perilous, with ice formations around the ship’s mast requiring sailors to use a blowtorch to remove them due to their destabilizing effect.
On May 16, 1942, the HMS Trinidad, a British warship en route for maintenance, came under attack from Nazi warplanes shortly after leaving Murmansk, Russia. Tragically, during the assault, 50 crew members lost their lives while 750 others were successfully evacuated. In order to prevent further damage, British destroyers deliberately scuttled the vessel before dawn.
According to Sir Tom, the sinking of the Trinidad occurred on the day before his 18th birthday. He recalls that nobody was even thinking about throwing him a birthday party during that time. The incident took place in the Arctic, where the weather was unusually calm. The ship was evacuated at around midnight, and despite the late hour, it was still bright outside due to the Arctic’s extended daylight during the month of May. This event occurred 82 years ago.
The ship was torpedoed by the destroyers, causing it to sink in a blazing inferno. As we anxiously waited, we were tasked with opening the hatches to prevent the Germans from obtaining any confidential information. Eventually, we were rescued from the ship by the final destroyer.
“I witnessed the ship sinking, with the stern being the last part to submerge, and the propellers slowly disappearing beneath the water. In fact, my friend even managed to capture a photo of this momentous event using a Brownie camera.”
As a teenager at that time, he was evacuated to Iceland and later made his way back to Greenock, Inverclyde. Remarkably, he made the journey back home while still wearing a sealskin hat.
As he prepared to rejoin the Navy in Chatham, Kent, he vividly remembered his mother scolding him for losing his luggage.
Sir Tom, who has five grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren, decided to retire shortly before the Falklands War in 1982. During his retirement, he took pleasure in playing golf and cherishing moments with his family. Additionally, he served as the chairman of the Erskine Hospital for veterans, located in Renfrewshire.
I don’t have any regular medications. I refrain from snacking between meals and maintain a sleep schedule from 11pm to 6am. I don’t engage in any specific exercise routines.
Sir Thomas Baird is a highly respected figure in his field.
Around 18 out of the 44 boys in his term at Dartmouth were killed in their first postings in 1941 when they were just 17 years old.
Sir Tom expressed his gratitude, stating, “I have always considered myself fortunate to have survived one sinking incident, especially considering that many of my comrades did not.”
In 1965, he decided to make Scotland his permanent home after meeting his wife Angela, who hails from Symington, South Ayrshire. It is in this very place that he continues to reside to this day.
In 1979, he reached the pinnacle of his career as he assumed the role of Flag Officer, Scotland and Northern Ireland. During this time, he had the honor of hosting esteemed guests such as former US president Richard Nixon and diplomat Henry Kissinger.
In contemplating his extensive life, Sir Tom, a widower, expressed, “I have consistently held opposing views to the government, my parents, and everyone else. I relished leading a distinct and independent existence.”
“I decided to join the Navy because most of my older relatives had served in the Army and nobody had been in the Navy. Unfortunately, joining the RAF wasn’t an option as it hadn’t been established yet. During my time in the military, I served in various locations, including the UK, the Mediterranean, and the Far East.”
Maintaining a strict routine is his key to longevity, as he passionately cares for his beloved dog, Victoria.
According to Sir Tom, he does not have any regular medications that he takes. He also mentioned that he refrains from eating any food between meals and follows a sleep schedule from 11pm until 6am. In terms of exercise, he stated that he does not engage in any special activities such as PT, runs, or going to the gym.
