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Capt Alfred John Baigent MBE23 March 1910 - 5 March 1993Jack joined the Regiment in 1928. After recruit training at Trentham Camp he was posted to Fort Dorset. Further movement to Dunedin followed, then back to Dorset in 1933. Here Jack began a long association with the 'Concrete Gunners'. Under the watchful eye of Major Chris Gallagher he became acquainted with the many facets of Coast Artillery. June 1944 saw Jack posted to 2NZEF, embarking with the 12th Reinforcements for service with the Gunners in Italy. On the cessation of hostilities he joined J Force as Battery Sergeant Major, 25 Battery. On his return from Japan he was commissioned in the Regular Force. Shortly afterwards he was seconded to the Fiji Military Forces, serving with various coast artillery units. Returning to New Zealand in 1952 he became District Officer and Quartermaster, 10 Coast Regiment and later Adjutant until his retirement in 1958. So ended thirty years of dedicated service to the guns. On retirement he became Secretary of the Wellington Returned Services Association, and in this position he devoted his experience and energy to the welfare of ex-servicemen. In 1970 he retired for the second time, but immediately took a position with the National Bank as records officer. Finally retiring in 1980 to his cottage at Raumati he continued to enjoy his garden and the friendship and company of Gunners. He was a long-time member of our Association, serving two terms as President (1959-70 and 1975-76), and was Wellington/Hutt Valley Representative and Vice President at the time of his death on 5 March this year.
Jim Gilberd
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