[6] He was 27 years old, and a lieutenant during September 1858 when the cavalry portion of the Bengal Military Police Battalion was assigned to the Field Force commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel William West Turner CB, then responsible for the security of the Grand Trunk Road.

In compliance with the orders of the officer commanding the field force, the detachments of cavalry noted in the margin [3rd Seikh Irregular Cavalry.—Ressaldar 1, Duffadars 3, Trumpeter 1, Troopers 49; Total 54.

Chicken, Esq., Master Indian Navy] marched at about 1 P.M. yesterday, with the view of intercepting the retreat of the rebel force posted in the village of Suhejnee, distant five miles.

On nearing the village above mentioned, I discovered the enemy in possession of it, as well as in occupation of all the neighbouring topes of trees, sugar-cane khets, &c., from which positions a heavy fire was at once opened.

The enemy observing us stationary, and seeing no infantry or guns advancing in support, became bold, threw out skirmishers, and emerging from their cover drew up in line, their right resting on Suhejnee, and their left on the village of Russowlee [Rasauli].

From this moment the pursuit was limited to the strongest and best horses of the force, numbering some 60 of all ranks, who, dashing into and swimming a deep and wide nullah, followed the flying enemy through the village of Russowlee and its sugarcane khets, over two miles of swamp, and five hundred yards into the thick jungles near Peroo, when, both men and horses being completely exhausted, I sounded the halt and assembly, and, collecting my wounded returned to Camp at Munjhaen about 6 P.M. [8] Only one man under Lt. Baker's command was killed during this action and 17 wounded[9] including George Bell Chicken, a civilian Master Mariner who was serving as a volunteer with the Naval Brigade.

When the report of Lt. Baker's actions reached the Commander-in-Chief of the Army in India (General Campbell) he directed his Adjutant-General to write the following to the Governor-General, Lord Canning: "I have the honour to request, on the part of his lordship, that you will have the goodness to direct the attention of the Right Honourable the Governor-General to the brilliancy of the exploit performed by Lieutenant G. C. Baker, of the Bengal Police Battalion, which is deserving of the highest encomium, on account both of conception and execution.

His lordship is of opinion that the Victoria Cross should be awarded to Lieutenant Baker, and to Mr. Chicken, of the Indian Navy, and he will take immediate measures for the execution of his intention in this respect.

[12] After leaving India, he served in the forces of Sultan Abdul Hamid II under Valentine Baker in the Balkan theatre during the Russo-Turkish War, and was taken prisoner by the Russians.

[12][13] After retiring from service with the Egyptian government, Major General Baker moved to Southbourne with his wife Charlotte, residing in the South Cliff Hotel on Belle Vue Road.