This small volume represents the fruition of what must be 40 years' work. My earliest memories of the family history involve stops during family vacations at obscure churches. My father had made an appointment to meet the vicar and study the Parish records. I think I even remember picking him up one time at Somerset House, although you will appreciate he had exhausted the information contained there very early.
I would like to use this introduction to express my very sincere thanks to him for undertaking this work. It gives me a wonderful sense of where our family has come from and something very valuable to pass on to my children.
I have read a draft and it appears to be almost complete but there is one significant omission. It probably does not surprise you that nothing is said about the author, Reginald Perrott. I will try to rectify that with a few anecdotes.
The early post-war history of Baker and Sons should keep any competent baggy-pants comedian in material for a considerable length of time, if it wasn't judged so corny it couldn't possibly be true.
"I have this friend who is glutton for punishment; when he's 42 he agrees to become the Managing Director of his wife's family's business."
"It isn't as if the wife is an only child. He has to buy into a Company whose stock is held by his wife, his brother-in-law, and his three sisters-in-law."
"Worse yet the business is a building contractor; his brother-in-law is a banker, and his sisters-in-laws' husbands are a clergyman, doctor and insurance broker."
"What kind of man would try to run a building contractor, assisted by his wife, a doctor, a clergyman, an insurance broker, and a banker?"
The second picture I would like to share is his famous relationship with lawnmowers. I had heard at length of the mechanical miracles he had performed on motorcyles (even belt-driven ones) and early motor cars, but somehow the same techniques never worked with his lawnmowers. They always refused to start, refused to run, or for some inexplicable reason, attempted to mow the tennis net instead of the grass.
I don't know if the famous film clip of the latter events still exists. It's remarkable that I survived being the candid cameraman and that he had the grace to let me share it with other people so they could laugh at him.
The last anecdote concerns the Titanic. Along with his mother and sister he was due to sail in the Titanic, my Grandfather being then in New York. Despite her dread of the sea he had persuaded my Grandmother to book in "this unsinkable ship" but before sailing my Grandmother jibbed and it must have been with mixed feelings that her husband saw the survivors land from S.S. Carpathia.
In closing, I commend this book to you. It gives us valuable insight into our family and our ancestors.
Godfrey Perrott
0 God in heaven, whose loving plan ordained for us our parents' care, and, from the time our life began, the shelter of a home to share.
Our father, on the homes we love send down thy blessing from above.
May young and old together find in Christ the Lord of every day, that fellowship our homes may bind in joy and sorrow, work and play.
Our father on the homes we love send down thy blessing from above.
The sins that mar our homes forgive; from all self-seeking set us free; parents and children, may we live in glad obedience to thee.
Our Father, on the hones we love send down thy blessing from above.
0 Father in our homes preside, their duties shared as in thy sight; in kindly ways be thou our guide, on mirth and trouble shed thy light.
Our Father, on the homes we love send down thy blessing from above.
Hugh Martin (1890 - 1964)
At a recent family gathering of the descendants of Frank and Marion Baker of Danbury, Essex, a considerable amount of interest appeared to be engendered regarding their forbears. This curiosity was particularly to be noted in the second generation, the age range of which was roughly 36-50, five older grandchildren in their fifties not being present.
In view of the general experience that it is only in middle or later life that people become so interested, it seemed desirable to place on record such relevant matters as I have been able to glean over the past thirty years or so; hence these notes which, to the best of my knowledge and belief, are accurate. If there is vagueness I crave forbearance and if, despite a great deal of care, errors have crept in I ask forgiveness, as in this field of research it is extremely difficult to be one hundred per cent certain. It will be helpful if the following is read in conjunction with the Salisbury and Dodd family trees which have been circulated and are in the possession of most of the family members referred to herein.