Richard Westbrook Baker (Dick Baker) of Briggins Cottage Langham was the Grandson of Richard Westbrook Baker
(1798-1861), steward to Lord Gainsborough, a noted agriculturalist and the designer of the Rutland Plough.
A man with great concern for farm labourers and the poor, who set up the small allotment system in 1830.
Dick Baker joined the Imperial Yeomanry and fought in the Boer war returning home in 1900 with the rank
of Sergeant. Of independent means, he remained a bachelor but was a much loved member of the
community. He played cricket for the village, was a bell ringer and regularly sang, told stories and recited
verse at village concert parties. He was the first choice as auctioneer at harvest festival sales.
As the village correspondent for the Grantham Journal throughout the First World War he had the very sad
job of reporting the terrible family news as it was received in the village and many of his articles are
contained in a scrapbook now owned by the Mantle Family. It looks from various notes that he was paid at
the rate of one ha’penny per line printed.
These articles are available fully transcribed and searchable by selecting the button at the top of this page.
Dick Baker died suddenly on the 22nd August 1920 and is buried next to the South Door of St Peter and St
Paul church Langham.
Langham Village History Group ~ © 1996 - 2022
Listen to Rita Duffin
talking to Julian Jenkins
about Dick Baker in 1990
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Richard Westbrook Baker (Dick Baker)