Monty Baker

The son of a well-known London stockbroker, Monty Baker was educated at Sherborne public school where he was a good cricketer and rugby player. He also enjoyed hockey and, after returning to his home-town of Bromley after finishing his education, he joined the Bromley and Bickley Park cricket clubs. He would become president of the latter club, but he gave long service to both the Bromley Cricket Club and the Bromley Hockey Club, of which he was a founder member in 1889. He served the hockey club as secretary for 12 years and in 1903 was elected chairman.

Although a fine cricketer, Baker found more fame as a hockey umpire than he did as a player. He had plenty of experience officiating in county matches and at the Oxford-Cambridge University match. He also umpired at international level before being selected as one of the officials for the first Olympic hockey final, at London in 1908, when England beat Ireland 8-1.

Like his father, Baker became a city stockbroker and joined the family firm. He was always involved in the organisation of local amateur theatrical productions and was on the committee of the Bromley Operatic and Dramatic Society. He was also a member of the Stock Exchange Amateur Dramatic and Operatic Society.