|
The residents of Rushden and district heard with deep regret of the death on Tuesday morning at a Nursing Home at Bedford, of Dr. H. Stainer Baker, of Rushden, at the age of 56. Dr. Baker, who was a Licentiate of the Royal College of Physicians and a Member of the Royal College of Surgeons, was a native of Southsea, Portsmouth. In his younger days as a medical student he held the position of House Surgeon of the Charing Cross Hospital, and afterwards, for different periods, acted as locum tenens for doctors in various parts of the country. His first, and only, practice was that in Rushden and district, which he bought from Dr. Wilson. Dr. Baker was 27 years of age when he came to Rushden.
The doctor’s chief recreations were motoring, bowls, billiards, and golf, but he had not played the latter for some considerable time before his death.
 |
|
Dr Baker
Argus Newspaper
|
On May 21st, 1913, Dr. Baker was appointed Medical Officer of the Urban District of Rushden in succession to Dr. Morris, of Wellingborough. He devoted an enormous amount of time, thought, and energy to those duties. His annual reports were probably unique in the country for the information and advice which they contained – being particularly “readable” by the general public. Quotations from them were also frequently made by the London newspapers.
Apart from his relatives, none will miss the doctor more than will his patients, who not only had the greatest faith in his skill, but looked to him as a close personal friend. They all feel that they have lost one of their truest comrades. In many cases the doctor had been known to refuse payment for his professional services where he knew the people were very poor. To one of the last patients he attended the doctor, then a great sufferer, said he could not stay any longer as he was himself worse than his patient in health.
It had been the one great wish of the doctor to retire from the arduous duties of such an extensive practice and go and live in his native town. But the ailment (an internal trouble) from which he suffered got worse, and he never attained his wish. Several weeks ago he was forced to give up work, having been at the instant disposal of his patients any hour of the night or day for nearly 30 years. Dr. Robb, of Irthlingborough, and other medical practitioners attended Dr. Baker’s patients during his illness.
The Rushden Ambulance Division owes much of its progress to Dr. Baker’s help and encouragement as hon. surgeon lecturer, and many residents with a good practical knowledge of first-aid remedies also are indebted to him for the pains he took whilst instructing them regularly during winter sessions. In his lectures he placed his wide range of knowledge freely at the disposal of the students.
Dr. Baker was for many years Hon. Surgeon Captain of the Rushden Volunteers (O Company) 1st V.B., N.R.
Deceased leaves a widow and one daughter, three sisters, two being married and living in London, and the third living at Southsea.
Tributes
At the meeting of the Rushden Urban Council on Wednesday, the Chairman (Mr. Bazeley) said: Before we commence the business of the Council it is my painful duty to refer to the death of our Medical Officer, Dr. Baker, whom we have lost since our last meeting. We all freely admit that his death is a very great loss to the town of Rushden. He was a gentleman of marked ability, very popular, and he was highly respected throughout the town. I am sure that many of the people in Rushden will feel that they have lost a friend in his death. It is my painful duty to move that the deepest sympathy of the members of the Council be extended to the widow and daughter and the friends of Dr. Baker in the terrible loss they have sustained. - The vote was carried, the members, officials, and representatives of the Press standing for a few moments in respectful silence.
At a meeting of the Rushden Ambulance Division on Tuesday, Dr. Davies made a brief reference to the death of Dr. Baker, who was hon. surgeon to the Division, and who had been a lecturer to the ambulance classes.
A vote of condolence to Mrs. Baker was passed at a meeting of the Rushden Town Bowling Club on Tuesday. Dr. Baker, it was pointed out, had been an ardent bowler for many years, and had been connected with both the Rushden and the Wellingborough clubs.
Funeral
The funeral is to take place to-morrow (Saturday) at the Milton Cemetery, Southsea. The Rev. W. H. David (Vicar) will officiate.
The body of the deceased was removed yesterday from the nursing home at Bedford by motor hearse to Southsea to await interment. Mr. T. Swindall, of Rushden, had charge of the local arrangements. The coffin, which is of oak, with brass fittings, bears the inscription:-
HERBERT STAINER BAKER
L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S.,
Died November 8th, 1921
Aged 56 Years.
A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. to-morrow in St. Mary’s Church, Rushden – at the time of the funeral.
The flag at the headquarters of the Rushden Ambulance Division was flown at half-mast from the announcement of the death of Dr. Baker, and will so remain until after the funeral.
|
