South Yorkshire Times June 7, 1969

Death at Rotherham of Mr. Sydney Baker

Mr. Sydney Baker, a former Chairman of Baker and Bessemer Ltd., of Kilnhurst, died at his home at 24 Hallam Road, Moorgate, Rotherham, on Tuesday, at the age of 80.

Mr. Baker, who was the fifth son of the late Mr. John Baker, founder of the Kilnhurst firm, was born at Rotherham and educated at Rotherham Grammar School and Wesley College, Sheffield. He then went on to Sheffield University where he studied engineering and metallurgy, and became an Associate of Engineering.

He started work with the firm of John Baker and Co. Ltd., in 1909 as a steelmaker and later turned to the general engineering side. He was made a director in 1920 when the firm became a public Company.

Innovations

At this time, and for many years afterwards, he was responsible for many innovations connected with automatic control of Siemen’s open hearth steel melting furnaces in which work he was a pioneer.

Upon Nationalisation of the firm in 1951, Mr. Baker succeeded his brother, Mr. George Baker, as Chairman and Managing Director of the firm, and on the death of Mr. George Baker, Mr. Sydney Baker succeeded him as Chairman of Woodhouse and Rixson Ltd., Forgemasters, of Sheffield.

In 1960 Mr. Baker retired from J. Baker and Bessemer Ltd., and devoted the whole of his interests to Woodhouse and Rixson, where he introduced many original production methods. He retired from the firm last December.

A Justice of the Peace for 26 years until he retired from the Bench in 1959, Mr. Baker was apppointed to the Board of the Trustee Savings Bank, Sheffield, in 1941. Five yew s later he was made a Trustee and retired from the position at the beginning of the year,

At Swinton

He lived at Swinton for over 40 years, at Milton House, before moving to Rotherham.

In his younger days he was a keen golfer and was captain of the Rotherham Golf Club at Thrybergh,

He had continued   as a member of Lindrick Golf Club until his death. He was a keen sportsman and was also interested in tennis, shooting and fishing. He was for many years President of the Baker and Bessemer Works Sports Club.

Mr. Baker was a member of the Yorkshire Anglers’ Club, and had also continued shooting until a few months before his death.

He leaves a widow and two sons, both of whom are with Woodhouse and Rixson Ltd.

The funeral service will take place today (Friday) at Thrybergh Parish Church at 2.15 conducted by the Rector of Thrybergh, Canon G. K. Dixon, and cremation will follow at Rotherham.