Metropolitan Police Look up

[azyeoman]

 

Jubilee Police Medal 1887 with 1897 clasp to PC H Baker, N. Division
Coronation Police Medal 1902 in Bronze P.C. H. Baker N. Division 
Coronation Police Medal 1911 in Silver. P.C. H. Baker. N. Division

 

Can anyone help by looking up PC H Baker in  KEMP's The Metropolitan Police The Men And Their Medals 1879 - 1911?

I'd like to know his Warrant Number and any other info regarding him.  Thanks very much in advance!

All the best,

John

 

[azyeoman]

Horace (George Spalding) Baker was born on 12/13 August 1858 in Cransford, Suffolk, England. He died in the June Quarter of 1929 in Hackney Rd. London, England. His mother, according to the 1861 census, was a widow – Sarah Baker (1815-) from Rendham, Suffolk. There is no father’s name given. She had seven children, two of which were twin boys. Later George (Horace) lived with his grandfather, George Spalding who was a farmer; he worked as a seed grower/agricultural laborer before joining the Met.

 

He joined the Metropolitan Police on 3 February 1879 and served in N Division, Stoke Newington.  His Warrant Number was 63266. He was promoted to PS on 1 July 1891 and to Station Sergeant on 9 January 1907. Before retiring, he earned  £2.13. and was given 4p for coal per week. He retired as Station Sergeant N Division, Islington on 18 May 1914 with a pension of £92.3.8p when 55 years old after serving 35 years, 104 days with the Metropolitan Police. The 1911 Census shows he married Ellen?, who was five years older than him, and worked for the government in the Police Court as a Female Attendant. They lived a 4 Foulden Rd. Stoke Newington, which still exists. (see below).  They had six children: Gertride, Leslie, Ethel, Walter, Ernest and Dorothy.  He was 5’1/4” tall with blue eyes, fresh complexion and grey hair.

 

Many thanks to Mark Reid for helping with Baker's ancestral and police details!
 

Edited February 5 by azyeoman

[azyeoman]

Baker's Metropolitan Police trio arrived, and I now have the exact naming to share with you.

The 1887 Victoria Jubilee with 1897 clasp is engraved in script.P C, H. BAKER. N. DIVN
The 1902 EVII Coronation is engraved P. S. H. BAKER. N. DIV.
The 1911 GV Coronation is P. S. H. BAKER.

The naming is exactly as should be for the respective medals and Baker's rank.  There was some confusion as to the naming as the dealer didn't have the exact naming correct on his site, but now all is clear.
They are all with their original ribbons which are stitched in blue thread at the top.

 

This group is one of about 600 full trios (1887-1911) awarded to serving officers; although with retired officers being recalled in large numbers for both the 1902 and 1911 Coronations, it takes the number of full trios available to about 1800 in total.  Those who served right through the full series of events are more desirable. Interestingly, 1897 trios are actually scarcer, as there were more 1897 clasps issued than 1897 medals.

Edited February 8 by azyeoman