Royal Household Faithful Service Medal GVR, 1910to 1930 (F BAKER); Royal Victorian Medal GVR; 1902 Coronation Medal; 1911 Coronation Medal; 1935 Jubilee Medal; 1937 Coronation Medal; Serbia, Royal Household Medal, 1st Class, Alexander I, gilt, with crown - unnamed as awarded in an attractive Spink glass and wooden frame.
Frederick Berkeley Baker was born on 29 December 1880 in Bromsgrove, Worcestershire. In 1881, when he was a mere babe in arms, the family lived in Finstall Park Lodge, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove where, at that time, baby Fred was an only child. His father, Frederick Henry Baker, was a coachman in domestic service and, as was so often the case, son was destined to follow father when it came to a gainful occupation. Most probably for this reason he sought and obtained employment in the Queens Stables in 1897 - the start of an epic career spanning almost fifty years of dedicated and unstinting service to the Monarchy.
His first job was to train the young horses attached to the stable - an important task as these were the very mounts which would pull the various coaches conveying members of the Royal Family on official engagements and it was essential that they "towed the line."
According to the 1911 England census he had been promoted to Coachman and was, together with his wife Ellen and 3 year old daughter Lilian, living at Buckingham Palace and Buckingham Palace Stables, 16 and 17, Lower Grosvenor Place, Gardener's Residences etc., St. James's Park S W and The Royal Mews, Pimlico S.W.
He was to reach the pinnacle of his profession in 1916 when he was appointed a Royal Coachman - a responsible position considering the personages he would be conveying. Among many noteworthy occasions he drove the Duchesses of Gloucester and Kent to the funeral of King George V in 1936 and to the Coronation of his successor. He also drove King George VI and Queen Mary when they were Duke and Duchess of York at Holyrood House.
One of his last official duties was when he drove King George to the last levee held at St James Palace just before the outbreak of WWII. He, along with other Royal Staff, moved to Windsor Castle for the duration of the war. According to the 1939 Register he was living at the Royal Mews, Windsor Castle and was a Coachman.
Known to be a quiet, reserved man Baker told his family little about his work, but one of his most prized possessions was a photograph of Queen Victoria which she signed.
Having served no fewer than five Monarchs over a 50 year period, Frederick Baker took a well earned retirement, going to live at The Banqueting House, Barge Walk, Hampton Court Palace. Sadly he wasn't destined to live long enough to enjoy it - passing away only four months later on 26 December 1949.
Sold with an archive of original photos and other documentation. Medals are in good condition unless stipulated otherwise.
