A LAMBOURN tradesman who was buried on Tuesday has been remembered for his dedication to his customers and the Royal British Legion.
George Baker, who died of cancer at the end of October, aged 72, carried the Royal British Legion standard for the village at remembrance services for 40 years, including a special service at the Royal Albert Hall, where he represented the village.
He worked with his younger brother Bob in their building firm, Baker Brothers, for more than 40 years.
His brother said that he had been a “wonderful tradesman” who would go to great lengths for his many customers in and around the village and would be sorely missed by them.
“It’s been unbelievable how much support we’ve had,” he added. “We’ve had a lot of cards and letters from all sorts of different people.
“Carrying the standard meant a lot to him. He loved his time in the services.”
He was born at his grandparents’ home, the Queen’s Arms Hotel in East Garston, and lived in the village before moving to Lambourn in 1967.
He served in the Second Battalion Grenadier Guards for three years as a regular soldier and spent four years in the First Reserves. He was stationed at Chelsea Barracks, where he stood guard at Buckingham Palace, the Bank of England, the Tower of London and Clarence House.
A keen sportsman, he represented his battalion in athletics competitions, winning several medals.
While living in East Garston after marrying his wife Joyce, he took part in the village’s annual race and always won, despite having to start 200 yards behind everyone else and running in brogue shoes.
He retired as a partner in Baker Brothers when he was 65, but continued to work for the company, latterly trading as Bakers Lambourn Ltd., until a few months before his death.
As well as his widow, he leaves children Joanne, Nicola and Stephen, grandchildren Natasha, Daniel and Benjamin and siblings Bob, Ann and Jill.