The Life and Legacy of Dr. Mark Baker

Early Life and Family Background

Mark Gregory Baker was born on Wednesday 10^th December 1913, as the youngest of three sons to George Baker OBE and Gertrude Baker (née Liversidge). At the time, the family resided at Swinton, near Rotherham. Mark’s father, George Baker, was the Managing Director of John Baker and Bessemer Ltd, a prominent steelmaking firm that also produced munitions during both World Wars.

Education and School Achievements

Mark attended Caldicott Preparatory School, which was then located in Hitchin, Hertfordshire (the school relocated to Farnham Royal, Buckinghamshire, in 1938). He continued his studies at Wrekin College from May 1928 to July 1932, and then proceeded to the University of Sheffield to study medicine, gaining practical experience at Sheffield Royal Hospital.

Mark's two cousins also attended Wrekin: Philip Baker [S.1941-45] and Stanley Michael Baker [B.1938-42]. Throughout his time at Wrekin, he was described by his housemaster [W.F.Higgs-Walker, MA] as “sensitive,” “unassuming,” and “rather sleepy,” yet noted for his steady progress. He excelled in science subjects, with improvements in others over time. In his final year, he received the Prize for metalwork for constructing a model steam engine - a demonstration of accurate and skillful work that developed 1/8 horsepower when operating at 2,800 rpm. His daughter Lindsay recalls: "he would duck out of cross country into the workshop, and the masters turned a blind eye in the end!" On his departure in 1932 Mark gifted this model to the school, though its current whereabouts are unknown. His final housemaster’s report read: “very good, sorry to lose him”.  While school reports are subjective, more often than not they do not give a foretaste as to how a young person might develop into adulthood. The school reports of Winston Churchill from Harrow are a classic case in point.

Personal Interests and Hobbies

In later life, Mark was known for his passion for model railways, even building one in the garden of his Ashby-de-la-Zouch home. Again, Lindsay recalls:

"In his spare time, he was in his workshop in the attic, building model trains, or mending things from the hospital when needed. His locomotives ran on a track he made around the vegetable garden and would delight us children with rides behind the steam train. The track even had a swing bridge so you could get to the compost heap. He was also a keen photographer and did his own developing in the surgery converted into a dark room”

Academic and Professional Milestones

In late 1932, Mark successfully passed the Pre-registration Examination of the Department of Dentistry at Sheffield University. The following year, he also passed the pre-medical examination of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of England in Chemistry and Physics. In 1938 he became a fully qualified Doctor.

Marriage and Family Life

While studying at Sheffield, Mark met Ailsa Battie Atkinson, a fellow medical student. They married in 1939 and later had two children: a son, Mark Alastair MacCallum Baker (1945–1995), also Wrekin educated [W.1959-63] and a daughter, Jean Lindsay Lyle Baker, born in 1948. Alongside his enthusiasm for model engineering, Mark was also an amateur rally driver.

When his son, Mark Alastair left Wrekin in 1963 his mother donated a tank engine plus tender to the school, and it was subsequently displayed in Robert Dahl’s study. [Enquiries are ongoing as to its present whereabouts].

Medical Practice and Community Involvement

The Baker family’s home occupied a building on Market Street, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, while he and Ailsa maintained a joint medical practice in some of the rooms. Mark was widely regarded as the “town’s doctor.” During the war years, Ailsa assisted in the practice, managed the household, cared for a large garden, and looked after several evacuees from Birmingham. Mark also worked at the local cottage hospital.

The Ticknall Well Tragedy

On the morning of Wednesday 17^th August 1955, Dr. Mark Baker received an urgent telephone call at his surgery from the village of Ticknall, Derbyshire, approximately five miles north of Ashby-de-la-Zouch. He was asked to assist at an accident at Tadser Farm¹. Although the people involved were not his regular patients, he responded without hesitation. Accounts of the events differ in some details, but the main points are as follows.

That morning, two employees of T.E. Hopkins Ltd - William Ward and Thomas Wileman - arrived at a small farm in Ticknall to continue pumping contaminated water from a well in the yard. The previous day, they had installed a small petrol engine on a platform about 50 feet down the well to power the pump, leaving it running overnight. William Ward descended into the well to resume work but was quickly overcome by carbon monoxide fumes from the engine exhaust. Observing the situation from above, Thomas Wileman called for help and then climbed down to assist, but he too was soon overcome.

By the time Dr. Baker arrived, a group had gathered, waiting for the emergency services. Despite repeated warnings about the dangers of entering the well without breathing apparatus, Dr. Baker volunteered to help. With the assistance of two women, he tied a rope around his waist and was lowered down. After descending about 25 feet, he began to feel nauseous and called for the women to pull him up. Tragically, the rope became caught on a cross support after they had only managed to raise him about 12 feet. Dr. Baker became stuck, and it was only when the fire brigade arrived with breathing equipment that his body could be recovered.

Despite all efforts and the application of artificial respiration, Dr. Baker was pronounced dead upon arrival at the hospital. He was 41 years old. William Ward, aged 43 and a bricklayer’s laborer from Castle Gresley, left behind a wife and child and was pronounced dead at the scene, as was Thomas Wileman [63] of Ashby.

Coronor’s Inquest

The day before the Ticknall tragedy one of the three men who later lost their lives is reported to have said “By gum! You couldn't stay down there long. The fumes would kill you”.

Miss Mary Elizabeth Insley of Tadser Farm, Ticknall, where the tragedy occurred, related this at the inquest on the men held at the Central Police Station, Derby on Friday 19^th August 1955.

The speaker, she said, was William Ward, whose collapse from carbon monoxide fumes from a petrol-driven pump preceded the rescue bid down the 50 foot well by the other two men.

Thomas Edward Hopkins, building contractor, of Smisby Rd Ashby, said he warned the two workmen not to go down the well before he arrived.

Miss Insley, a nurse who lived at the farm owned by her parents, said that after Dr Baker arrived she pleaded with him not to go down the well but he got some rope from his car, tied it to some more rope and descended. He insisted and said he would call up if he didn't feel well. Every few seconds she called down to him and he kept replying in a strong voice “Yes”.

She and her sister, Mrs. Ruth Taylor saw him reach the two men and he then said that he didn't think there was much that could be done for them. Asked again if he was alright he replied “Yes”, but shortly afterwards said “No”.

Miss Insley added that she and her sister started to pull him up.

After about 12 feet the doctor seemed to get caught on something and they could not lift him any higher.

Leading fireman Reginald Clapson said that he went down the well with breathing apparatus. About 20 feet down he found the doctor's body with a rope twisted round a down pipe which was a permanent fixture of the old well.

He then put a safety belt round the doctor and removed the ropes that were twisted and holding him fast. It was impossible to do anything in the well without breathing apparatus.

Mrs Ruth Taylor [of Northgate, Eckington, Sheffield], who was staying at the farm, said that Wileman told her he dare not go down the well but he finally did so. She heard him groan and he fell off a ladder in the well and dropped down.

A verdict of “death by misadventure” was recorded by the coroner on all three.

In his closing remarks the coroner stated: ”It strikes me as an extremely foolish thing to have a petrol engine running at the bottom of a 50 foot well where there are no draughts and no means of getting rid of the petrol fumes”.

The coroner went on to say that Wileman knowing the position of his friend Ward did not like the idea of going down. He did go down in the end, to the assistance of his friend and lost his life doing so.

Of Dr Baker the Coroner said “He knew the danger and was begged not to down the well. He went down without breathing apparatus in the highest traditions of the medical profession in an attempt to save the men”.

Addressing the relatives of the deceased: “The wife and children of the doctor and the relations of Mr Wileman – when their grief has worn – can only be proud of the men who went to the assistance of a man who was in grave trouble.”

Aftermath and Legacy

Legal Proceedings and Workplace Safety

Several newspaper reports at the time alleged that Thomas Wileman, as an employee of T.E. Hopkins & Son Limited, was instructed by the contractor to descend into the well to assist his colleague, although this particular detail was never explored during the Inquest.

Nevertheless, the incident resulted in a case being brought before the Court of Appeal, which examined two crucial questions:

1. Whether T.E.Hopkins Ltd was responsible for the death of Dr Baker by failing to ensure the well was safe prior to directing the workmen into it.
2. Whether Dr Baker’s voluntary attempt at rescue rendered him responsible for his own death.

The Court of Appeal determined that Dr Baker, as a “rescuer”, had acted reasonably under the circumstances. T.E. Hopkins Ltd was found liable for negligence. The judgment highlighted the significance of workplace safety and reinforced the duty of care employers owe to all individuals affected by their operations.

Funeral and Commemoration

Mark’s funeral was held on Saturday, 25^th August 1955, coinciding with the day the family had planned to depart for their summer holidays. Traffic was diverted from the usually busy Market Street, where Dr Baker’s home and practice were located. Over 600 people lined the pavements in silent respect as the cortege passed. At the Methodist Church, members of the St John Ambulance - where he had served as Divisional Surgeon - and nurses from the local hospital formed a guard of honour. The congregation included representatives from all services and various public bodies. Mark Baker was buried in Ashby Cemetery, and Ailsa was also laid to rest there in 1978.

Lindsay recalls that she and her brother were sent to stay with friends until it was all over.

The funerals for the other two victims took place separately.

In the aftermath, a new department at Ashby and District Hospital was dedicated as a memorial to Dr Baker, who had served as Medical Officer there, and a commemorative plaque was installed. The hospital site is now occupied by an architectural firm, and the whereabouts of the plaque remain unknown, although efforts have been made to locate it.

Dr Baker’s medical practice continued under Dr Ailsa Baker’s leadership, with both her daughter Lindsay and granddaughter Lizzie eventually entering the medical profession.

Lasting Memorials

The local council later launched an appeal for funds to establish a prize at Sheffield University for the best final year medical student - The Mark Gregory Baker (Ashby de la Zouch) prize - which is still awarded today. The OWA contributed £5 5s 0d, approximately £190 in today’s money.

In November 1955 a new road on the Willesley Road housing estate in Ashby was named ‘Baker Avenue’ in memory of Dr Baker.

In 1956, the following announcement was published in ‘The London Gazette’.

Dr Ailsa Baker, together with her son Mark, travelled to Buckingham Palace on 13^th March 1956 to receive the Albert Medal in private audience from HRH the Duke of Gloucester, acting as a Counsellor of State in the absence of HM the Queen, who was indisposed.

Image: The Family of Dr Mark Gregory Baker AM

In 2024, a commemorative blue plaque was installed on the exterior of the former Baker family home and medical practice on Market Street, Ashby.

Also in 2024, the BBC Antiques Roadshow programme featured the Albert Medal awarded to Thomas Wileman, which was valued by Mark Smith, the medals and militaria expert, at between £10,000 and £12,000.

1. Now known as Tadsor Farm, the property is in the ownership of The National Trust.

My thanks to Dr Lindsay Entwistle for sharing memories of her brave father.

Appendices       [click on the appendix number to access the document]

Appendix 1        Police Witness Statements:-

Police Constable A.L. Nicholls
Police Sgt A. McDonald
Dr Ailsa Baker
Mr James Wileman
Mr Albert Ward
Mr Fred Taylor
Mrs Ruth Taylor
Miss Mary Insley
Mr Thomas Hopkins
Leading Fireman Reginald Clapson
Dr Hedly Boardman

Appendix 2       
Incident Report [dated 24th August 1955] from Divisional Superintendent to the Chief Constable, Derbyshire Constabulary.

Appendix 3 
Coroner’s Remarks within a letter [dated 24th August 1955] from Divisional Superintendent to the Chief Constable, Derbyshire Constabulary.

Appendix 4
Memorandum from the Home Secretary to HM the Queen recommending the award of the Albert Medal to Dr Mark Baker & Thomas Wileman carrying her handwritten approval. [18/01/1956]

A copy of this story is available for download here.