1, The Green, High Street, Grantchester

History of 1, The Green

Precise location unknown.

1901 (no address but listed in census next to Red Lion)

John E Baker, 45, blacksmith, b Comberton

Minna, 42, b Cambridge

Oliver, 17, b Comberton

John, 13, apprentice blacksmith, b Comberton

Mary A, 10, b Comberton

Bertie, 7, b Fulbourn

Frank, 4, b Grantchester

Jennet,  3, b Grantchester

1911 High Street

Oliver Baker, 28, blacksmith, b Comberton

Edith Mary née Davie, 30, b Berks

Victor George, 3, b Grantchester

Oliver’s father, John Edward Baker moved from Comberton to Grantchester c.1895.

When Oliver left school he took job of postman whilst helping his father in the smithy. Oliver later took over the business. He married Edith Mary Davie in 1907. She worked for the Asshetons at Riversdale.

In 1905 Oliver had joined the Suffolk Yeomanry, volunteer mounted troops of the home defence army. Members had to provide their own horses.

Oliver Baker and Edith, Grantchester

1915 on 21 March Oliver had been found in Cambridge Road, Ely feeling unwell. He collapsed and was taken to Ely hospital where he died without regaining consciousness; he had died of a stroke aged 32. He was buried with military honours at Grantchester three days later. Edith continued to work at Riversdale and live on the Green until her death in 1964.

(See Francis Burkitt, World War I, pub. 2020)