1893-1968

Edwin Baker

Edwin Baker was born on January 9, 1893, in Collins Bay, Ontario. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering from Queen’s University in 1914 and later that year enlisted with the 6th Field Company, Canadian Engineers. In 1915, he was wounded in France, losing sight in both eyes, which was considered to be a type of amputation.

After his return to Canada, he was one of the key founders of the Canadian National Institute for the Blind (CNIB) and, later, served as Managing Director from 1920 to 1962. He also held executive positions with the closely affiliated Sir Arthur Pearson Association of War Blinded (SAPA) beginning in 1918.

Awards:

• Meritorious Service Membership, The War Amps
• Distinguished Service Membership, The War Amps
• Companion of the Order of Canada (1967)

Mr. Baker noticed that several special needs and disabled veterans’ organizations were forming in Canada. This included the Amputations Association of the Great War (later, The War Amps), which was formally chartered in 1920.

Mr. Baker became a member of The War Amps and served on the Dominion Executive. He was close friends with Padre Sidney Lambert, the Association’s first President, who also became SAPA’s honorary President. Together, the two organizations supported each other not only in their advocacy work but in other activities such as marches and wreath layings.

Along with other like-minded organizations, they worked together with a united veterans' voice to create a new group to pressure the Government to maintain pension levels: the Associated Veterans Organizations in Canada (later known as the National Council of Veteran Associations in Canada). Mr. Baker, who served as Chairman, was adamant that the formation of NCVA helped accomplish more in terms of influencing government pension issues.

Mr. Baker was remembered as a tireless advocate for both disabled and able-bodied veterans. He passed away on April 7, 1968.
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