Evan Dare Baker – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Henley

Third Engineer Evan Dare Baker – Mercantile Marine, S.S. Henley

Birth and Family Background

Evan Dare Baker was born in 1899 in Swansea. He was the son of Thomas Baker and Joan Caradock Thomas, who were married in 1896 at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire.

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Baker family were living at 40 Swan Street, Swansea. Thomas Baker, aged 26 and born in Haverfordwest, was employed as a railway weigher, while his wife Joan, also aged 26 and born in Newport, was caring for their young family. Their children at this time were Evan, aged two, and Elsie, aged six months.

1911 Census

By the 1911 Census, the family had moved to 8 Jones Terrace, Swansea. Thomas, now aged 37, was working as a timekeeper, and Joan, aged 34, was managing the household. Their children were Evan, aged 12; Bessie, aged 7; and Joan, aged 3.

Mercantile Marine Service and Death

Evan later served in the Mercantile Marine, attaining the rank of Third Engineer aboard the S.S. Henley.

The S.S. Henley was built by A. Stephen & Sons, Glasgow, in 1894, and at the time of her loss was owned by Britain Steamship Company Ltd. (Watts, Watts & Co.), London. She was a British steamship of 3,249 tons.

On 10^th April 1918, Henley was on a voyage from Barry to St. Nazaire, carrying a cargo of coal, when she was torpedoed and sunk by the German submarine UB-109. The sinking occurred approximately 25 miles south-west by west of the Lizard. Six members of the crew were lost in the attack.

Evan Dare Baker 
Tower Hill Memorial
credit - Benjidog Historical Research Resources:
The Merchant Navy Memorial

Evan Dare Baker was among those who lost their lives. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tower Hill Memorial, London, which honours members of the Merchant Navy who died during the First World War and have no known place of burial.