Baxter was educated at Ilford County High School. He served in the Royal Air Force in World War II flying Spitfires with 93 Squadron over Sicily in 1943 and later as a Flight Commander with No. 602 Squadron in North West Europe. On 18 March 1945, he took part in a daring daylight raid on the Shell-Mex building in The Hague, which was the HQ for V1 and V2 attacks. The commander, Max Sutherland, received a bar to his DFC and the other four pilots, including Baxter, were mentioned in dispatches.
Raymond Baxter worked in Forces Broadcasting from 1945 to 1949. He then worked for the BBC from 1950, including radio commentary on the funerals of Sir Winston Churchill and King George VI (the latter commentary given while suspended from the ceiling of Westminster Abbey). He also reported at the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953.
An accomplished rally driver, Baxter competed on the Monte Carlo Rally 12 times, 6 of which as a member of the famous BMC Works Team. He also competed on numerous Alpine, Tulip and RAC Rallies, notably satirised in the character Roland Thraxter in Peter Ustinov's Grand Prix du Rock. Baxter was frequently a commentator on motoring and aviation events, including at least 20 Formula 1 races, the Le Mans 24 hour race, and the Monte Carlo rally. To parody this, he was invited onto I'm Sorry I Haven't A Clue to commentate on sessions of Mornington Crescent. He was briefly Director of Motoring Publicity, British Motor Corporation, 196768, whilst still presenting for the BBC; but when it was decided not to continue with Baxter in this post following BMC's takeover by Leyland, he returned to work full time for the BBC. He is also remembered as a frequent presenter of TV coverage from Air Show events for the BBC. Baxter is also known for reporting on the first flight of Concorde and being the first reporter to broadcast from an aeroplane, ocean liner and underwater.
His death was announced on 15 September 2006, after he died at the age of 84 at the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading, close to his home in Henley-on-Thames. In a statement his family said: "He had a love of innovation and challenge both professionally and personally."
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