Studio portrait of Major Robert John D.S.O Baker and his wife Florence Meerwald, c. 1930.

Studio portrait of Major Robert John D.S.O Baker (known in his family as ‘The Major’) and his wife Florence Meerwald, c. 1930.

Robert Baker (left) was born 28 April, 1857, in County Dublin, son of John Baker, and Mrs Baker. He was educated privately. He served in the South African War, 1899-1902, as Acting Army Service Corps Officer, afterwards Supply Officer; was present at the operations in the Transvaal and Orange River Colony, and in the operations in Cape Colony. He was twice mentioned in Despatches; received the Queen’s Medal with three clasps; the King’s Medal with two clasps, and was created a Companion of the Distinguished Service Order [London Gazette, 31 October 1902]: “Robert Joseph Baker, Captain, Royal Dublin Fusiliers. In recognition of services in the operations in South Africa”. Major Baker retired from the Service in 1911. In the European War he was employed from 1914-19 in the Remount Service. He married, 24 November 1880, Florence (Flo) Mary Josephine, eldest daughter of J B Meerwald, Ceylon Civil Service, and they had three sons, born on 17 September 1881; 23 July 1884 and 9 June, 1885, and three daughters.