Harry Frederick Baker
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29 July 1904
- Maylands State School
- Perth Technical School
Harry Baker | |
|---|---|
| Born | Harry Frederick Baker 29 July 1904 Glanville, Port Adelaide, Australia |
| Died | 8 June 1987 (aged 82) Como, Perth, Australia |
| Other names | "Cannonball" (nickname) |
| Alma mater |
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| Occupations | |
| Spouses |
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| Children | 2 |
Harry Frederick Baker (29 July 1904 – 8 June 1986) was an Australian speedway motorcycle rider and aviator. He is credited as being the first Western Australian motorcycle rider to reach a 94.73 miles per hour (mph).[1]
Harry Frederick Baker was born 29 July 1904 in Glanville, Port Adelaide, Australia, to Frederick George Baker, a Western Australian labourer and Evelyn May (née Smith). Thereafter, his family relocated to Perth, Australia. Passionate in speedway riding from the age of 18, Baker was nicknamed "Cannonball". He was educated at Maylands State School and Perth Technical School. At 23, he won silver at the 1927 Western Australian Individual Speedway Championship held at Claremont Speedway.[2]
Career
Baker was one of Sir Norman Brearley's first proteges at the Perth Flying School. After completing an aviation course and qualifying as an aviation instructor, Baker established his own business.[3]
