We have just learned of the sad news regarding the passing of Air Marshal Sir John Alexander Baird, KBE, CStJ, DL, FRAeS, FRCPE who was the former Commanding Officer of the RAF Ely Hospital.
Sir John ultimately reached the rank of Air Marshal and was appointed as Surgeon General to Her Majesties Armed Forces (colour photograph attached)
Earlier in his career as a Group Captain he commanded RAF Ely from 1987 to when it closed as an RAF base in 1992.
The RAF Ely Hospital went on to become the much loved Princess of Wales NHS hospital.
1094 Squadron Ely Air Cadets still fly the flag for The Royal Air Force and are based in the old RAF Ely NAAFI Building in Heaton Drive.
The black and white photograph attached shows Group Captain Jim Greig handing over command to then Group Captain Baird in January 1987.
Following his retirement from the RAF, Sir John and his wife Mary remained in the Ely area and became enthusiastic supporters of local community youth groups in the Ely District.
We send our sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
From 1094 Ely Squadron Royal Air Force Air Cadets
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