Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

"COLLISION INJURIES FATAL

A 57-year-old married man died in Lismore Base Hospital early on Saturday morning from injuries received when his bicycle was involved in a collision with a car outside his home on Friday night. He was Garfield Baker, married, Hindmarsh Street, Lismore. Baker is alleged to have swerved from behind a lorry into the path of a car coming from the opposite direction. He received severe head injuries including a fractured skull, and other injuries. Baker was attended by a passing doctor until an ambulance arrived.

One of the largest congregations at a funeral service in Lismore for some time attended St. Andrew's Church of England yesterday afternoon, when the Rector of Lismore (Rev. Eric Parsons) conducted a service prior to the burial of Mr Garfield Baker, of 25 Hindmarsh street, Lismore, a member of the grocery staff of S. McLean's Central Stores. Mr. Baker was a prominent Freemason, a returned soldier, and a member of the Gallipoli Legion of Anzacs, and these organisations were strongly represented among the large attendance. Mr. Baker was born at Moruya 57 years ago, and received his early education at the Moruya Public School. When seven years of age he came to the North Coast with his parents and later followed dairying pursuits. As a lad, he secured  employment with Mr. W. L. Murphy at Burringbar and afterwards worked at Bangalow for Mr. George Reading. He was a well-known footballer, and played with the Bangalow Royals. With the outbreak of the First World War, he was one of the first to enlist and as a member of the original 9th Battalion, A.I.F., was at the landing at Gallipoli. After considerable service on Gallipoli, Mr. Baker was wounded and invalided home to the Rosemount Hospital, Queensland, and, after his discharge, returned to Bangalow.
Mr. Baker married at Bangalow Miss Elsie Beckinsale, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Beckinsale, of Brunswick Heads, former well- known Bangalow residents. Mr. Baker then joined the tick staff, in whose employ he remained for many years. He served the Tick
Department in Dorrigo, Coramba, Nana Glen, Copmanhurst, Tabulam and Old Koreelah. Fourteen years ago, he resigned from the Tick Department and accepted a position on the staff of McLean's Central Stores at Lismore, and remained in this position until his death. 

Mr. Baker was initiated in the Masonic Lodge Cavanbah at Byron Bay, and later passed through the chairs of that lodge. On settling in Lismore, he affiliated with the Richmond River Lodge No. 77, and was chaplain in this lodge. An old member of the M.U.I.O.O.F., he was a member of Loyal Richmond River Lodge No. 85 at the time of his death. He was a past master, and rose the Purple Order.
Mr. Baker had been actively associated with the Returned Soldiers League and the Gallipoli Legion of Anzacs. He had been honorary
secretary of the latter organisation for a year. Mr. Baker had also been a member of the Lismore City Bowling Club for some months past. In addition to his widow, a son, Alan, who is a member of the staff of penneys at Ipswich (Qld.) and two- daughters survive. The daughters are Mrs. W. Ellis and Mrs. F. Rose, both of Lismore. Brothers of Mr. Baker are Mr. John Baker, of Byron
Bay, and Mr. Roy Baker, of Murwillumbah. Mrs. M. Oakley, of Numinbah Valley (Qld.) is his only sister. Rev. Parsons, in an address in the church, made reference to the large attendance being evidence of the esteem in which he had been held. Returned soldiers formed a guard of honour at the church doors. The R.S.L. was represented officially by Messrs. E. Stratford and T. Cooling. Many members of the Gallipoli Legion were present, with their vice-president (Mr. A. Morton). Mr. H. Saunders, the WM. of Lodge
Richmond River 77, represented that lodge. Rev. Parsons conducted the graveside service and Mr. Monty South, sounded the Last Post. Mr. H. Saunders conducted the Masonic burial service. The flag-covered casket was carried at the church by Messrs. John and Roy Baker (brothers), J. Beckinsale, W. Payne, A. Noble and Roy Hosking (brothers-in-law) and at the cemetery by Messrs. A. Morton and E. H. Tulk (Gallipoli Legion), J. M. McLean and Bruce Clark (Lodge 77), J. Hambley and A. E. Bullinaria (staff of McLeans). Wreaths were carried by . Messrs. W. Chalmers (Gallipoli Legion), T. Wotherspoon (battalion comrade), C. L. Snow (Bangalow R.S.L.), J. A. Marangon and T. W. Blackwell (Lismore City Bowling Club), D. Machin and G. Fenwick (staff A. Beckinsale, Bangalow), and the following members of the staff of McLeans: H. Cooper, C. Gilbert, L. Devere, F. Miller, J. Taylor, K. Rigney, J. Greig, G. Law, G. Rogers, B. Fairhall, C. Reld, J. Whitney, W. Neaves, E. McPherson and G. Daley. Will Riley &. Son conducted the
funeral arrangements." - from the Lismore Northern Star 22 Jan 1951 (nla.gov.au)