New Hospital Wing to Be Named After Medic Killed in Afghanistan

A new ten bed hospital ward at the Rannerdale Veterans Care facility in Christchurch is to be called the Jacinda Baker Wing in recognition of the service and sacrifice of a younger generation of kiwi soldiers.

Lance Corporal Jacinda Baker was one of three New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) soldiers killed by an improvised explosive device (IED) while serving in Afghanistan in August 2012.

“Jacinda was professional. She was proud to be a medic in the New Zealand Army and proud of the work she carried out. For Rannerdale, Jacinda’s service and sacrifice represents a commitment to New Zealand,” said Rannerdale’s General Manger, Steve Shamy.

The use of her name was announced at Anzac day services both at Rannerdale and Burnham Military Camp, where Jacinda was trained and later posted before her deployment to Afghanistan.

Her father Peter Baker said: “It’s a very emotional time for us on Anzac day. Jacinda would be chuffed to have a medical wing named in her honour.”

“In twenty or thirty years time it might be the colleagues she served with, or under, who are at Rannerdale and it’ll be a name they recognise,” said Jacinda’s mother Joyce Baker.

Rannerdale has a strong relationship with Burnham Military Camp and the Health Training School based there.

Rannerdale has launched a pledge me page where members of the public can donate funds to help with the fit out of the new Jacinda Baker medical wing. More information can be found here.

A video about Rannerdale and the new wing can be viewed here.

ENDS

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