A Local Oarsman – Herbert Arthur Baker

Transcript

DEATH OF MR. BAKER

A local oarsman

We regret to record the death of Mr. Herbert Arthur Baker, of “The Chalet”, Dolphin Road, Slough, which occurred suddenly on Friday at the age of 56. Mr. Baker was well known in both Slough and Windsor. He had lived the greater part of his life in Slough and as a boy sang in the choir at St. Laurence’s Church, Upton, where, up to the time of his death, he was a regular member of the congregation and a sidesman.

To many people, particularly on the Berks side of the Thames, he will be best remembered as a prominent member of the Eton Excelsior Rowing Club. He rowed for the Club in many regattas, won numerous cups and was captain for four years from 1924 to 1928. After he gave up competitive rowing, he continued to take an active interest in the club’s affairs and was a valued member of the committee.

For thirty-seven years Mr. Baker was an official of the Westminster City Council and was held in high esteem by his colleagues in London. In Slough he will be greatly missed by his friends on the Dolphin Road area fire guard rota.

The funeral took place at Upton on Tuesday, when a simple service was conducted by the Priest-in-charge (Rev. U. E. Simons) in the presence of many friends. The chief mourners were: Mrs. Baker (widow), Miss Janine Baker (daughter), Mr. George Baker, Mr. Benjamin Baker and Mr. Walter Baker (brothers) and Mrs. Brooks (sister).
The Eton Excelsior Rowing Club was represented by: Messrs. V. H. Hobbs (captain). C. D. Dyson (hon, secretary), H. Powers, T. Luff, L. F. Blanc and S. Blane. The staff of the Corporation of the City of Westminster was also represented. After the service at Upton, the interment took place in the churchyard at St. Mary’s.

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Curator's Notes

Herbert Arthur Baker (serial 1377778) served with the Army Service Corps in WWI. When he signed up in Nov 1915, he stated his address was 208 High Street, Slough. His records cover 15 Nov 1915 until his demobilisation on 2 Apr 1919 as Corporal. [source: WWI Service Records]

From the 1939 Census, he was born on 29 May 1887, and his wife was Violet Beatrice Baker, born 14 Aug 1888. They lived at “Le Chalet”, 9 Dolphin Road, Slough. They had a daughter in 1926 called Janine Mabel Baker. [source: Ancestry.co.uk]

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