The Mayor Behind The Medals
Alderman Alfred Baynton OBE Mayor of Canterbury
The Man Alfred Baynton was born on 5th December 1881 in Poplar, London and during his early working life was a Solicitor’s Clerk at Hoxton in the Borough of Hackney. He married Florence Mary and had one child Ronald Alfred (see son's biography) who was born on 7th March 1906. He later moved to Westward Ho! clearly having gained some useful commercial experience as in 1916 aged 35 he was appointed by Sidney Garke as Secretary of the about-to-be formed East Kent Road Car Company (EKRCC), which was to provide the majority of public transport in and around the East Kent area for a considerable number of years. He was credited with a major role in the detail of forming the new company as well as the purchasing of property and companies in order to expand the business during in its early years. In 1929 Alfred and his family moved again, this time to 29 New Dover Road, Canterbury where they settled. He gained an interest in local politics and in 1930 aged 49 was elected as a Councillor for the Northgate Ward of the Canterbury Corporation. Three years later in 1933 he was promoted to Secretary and Joint Manager of the EKRCC and on 17tth November 1934 made Sheriff of Canterbury being awarded His Majesty King George V’s Silver Jubilee Medal in 1935. He was elevated to Alderman a few years later in 1943, by now aged 62 and during World War 2 was instrumental in managing the EKRCC that had become heavily involved in moving troops to and from the coast, ferrying injured servicemen and providing movements operations for the military, a much needed service during this difficult time for Great Britain. As a result of his unfailing efforts, Alfred Baynton was appointed as An Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (OBE) Civil Division in the New Years Honours List of 1945 for his services to civil defence. The citation read:
But for his courage, calm, logical and sympathetic decisions,
the company would not have maintained against heavy odds
such a vital and important service to the “front line”
corner of this country
On 17th November 1945 Alfred was elected Mayor of Canterbury for one year and during his term of office on 11th July 1946 had the honour of meeting His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit to the City. At the end of his term on 16th November 1946, in proposing a vote of thanks Councillor H G James said of him “Alderman Baynton has performed his duties with dignity and efficiency, and has added lustre to the already brilliant record of Canterbury’s Mayors during the past 500 years”. Alfred had attended a total of 372 various meeting and functions during his Mayoral year. During his time on Canterbury Council he sat on many committees of the Corporation including, Central Areas Planning, Finance, Highways and Irrigation, Markets and Parks, Rating and Valuation, Sanitary and Licensing, Town Planning and Watch. In addition to his job and politics he was a keen Rotarian and the first Secretary President and founder member of the Canterbury Club. In addition he was President of Canterbury and district Chamber of Trade and of the East Kent Federation of Chambers of Commerce. He retired from the EKRCC in 1948 aged 67 and in 1949 became President of the Omnibus Society. He stood down from the Council in 1953 aged 72 when he was praised for ‘his sterling character, steadfast beliefs, spice of humour and keen business ability’. In later life he moved out of Canterbury to a town called Stanstead Abbotts and was described as a quiet and reserved man who was popular with the road staff with whom he came into contact. He also enjoyed Company social functions attending them until the day before his ninetieth birthday in 1973, as well as keeping up an interest in ‘local’ affairs. Alfred’s wife died in June 1962 and he died aged 94 on 25th April 1976 at the East Hertfordshire Hospital, having lived prior to his death at a Salvation Army Eventide home, Netherfield House in Stanstead Abbotts, Ware Hertfordshire. He was buried at 1430h on 30th April 1976 at the City of London Cemetery, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London, together with his wife. His son Ronald Alfred, who became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Artillery Territorial Army died two years later in 1978. Thus ended the life of a man who served his country in many other ways than within a military environment and who lived to a grand old age and was clearly popular. As will be seen below however distinguished lives do not always receive the recognition they ultimately deserve and this story is one that proves the full worth of Ordecomedology and especially the all important researching of The Man'.
But for his courage, calm, logical and sympathetic decisions,
the company would not have maintained against heavy odds
such a vital and important service to the “front line”
corner of this country
On 17th November 1945 Alfred was elected Mayor of Canterbury for one year and during his term of office on 11th July 1946 had the honour of meeting His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth during their visit to the City. At the end of his term on 16th November 1946, in proposing a vote of thanks Councillor H G James said of him “Alderman Baynton has performed his duties with dignity and efficiency, and has added lustre to the already brilliant record of Canterbury’s Mayors during the past 500 years”. Alfred had attended a total of 372 various meeting and functions during his Mayoral year. During his time on Canterbury Council he sat on many committees of the Corporation including, Central Areas Planning, Finance, Highways and Irrigation, Markets and Parks, Rating and Valuation, Sanitary and Licensing, Town Planning and Watch. In addition to his job and politics he was a keen Rotarian and the first Secretary President and founder member of the Canterbury Club. In addition he was President of Canterbury and district Chamber of Trade and of the East Kent Federation of Chambers of Commerce. He retired from the EKRCC in 1948 aged 67 and in 1949 became President of the Omnibus Society. He stood down from the Council in 1953 aged 72 when he was praised for ‘his sterling character, steadfast beliefs, spice of humour and keen business ability’. In later life he moved out of Canterbury to a town called Stanstead Abbotts and was described as a quiet and reserved man who was popular with the road staff with whom he came into contact. He also enjoyed Company social functions attending them until the day before his ninetieth birthday in 1973, as well as keeping up an interest in ‘local’ affairs. Alfred’s wife died in June 1962 and he died aged 94 on 25th April 1976 at the East Hertfordshire Hospital, having lived prior to his death at a Salvation Army Eventide home, Netherfield House in Stanstead Abbotts, Ware Hertfordshire. He was buried at 1430h on 30th April 1976 at the City of London Cemetery, Aldersbrook Road, Manor Park, London, together with his wife. His son Ronald Alfred, who became a Lieutenant Colonel in the Royal Artillery Territorial Army died two years later in 1978. Thus ended the life of a man who served his country in many other ways than within a military environment and who lived to a grand old age and was clearly popular. As will be seen below however distinguished lives do not always receive the recognition they ultimately deserve and this story is one that proves the full worth of Ordecomedology and especially the all important researching of The Man'.
The Story The medals and miniatures awarded to Alderman Alfred Baynton and his Son, Lt Col Ronald Alfred Baynton were purchased at the Orders and Medals Research Society Annual Convention in London on Saturday 24th September 1994. They were seen towards the end of the day right at the back of a dealers display, not attracting much interest and in quite a dirty condition. Following some consideration and a couple of changes of mind they were acquired. The dealer described them as ‘A Trio To Lieutenant Colonel R A Baynton, who had also been a one time Mayor of Canterbury’ and detailed as the MBE, (later discovered to be a heavily cleaned OBE) (Civil Division), 1935 George V Jubilee Medal and an Efficiency Decoration George VI engraved ‘1944’. Together with the medals came a photograph of the recipient in Mayoral Robes wearing the OBE and Jubilee Medal. A silver medallion ‘59th Warwickshire Searchlight Regiment’ engraved ‘148 LAA’. Two Imperial College athletic sports medallions, one in bronze the other silver, two St John Ambulance badges and a 10 year long service badge from a company called Crompton Parkinson and engraved on the reverse ‘ Presented to R A Baynton 1938’. It is interesting to note that this badge was the only item amongst the lot to bear any name. The only indication that the recipient came from Canterbury was a photographer’s mark on the bottom of the mayoral photograph. The name Baynton from the badge and Canterbury on the photograph enabled some basic research to begin. On 26th September 1994, a telephone call was made to Canterbury City Council where it was established that Alfred Baynton had been a Councillor and an Alderman during the 1930s, 40s and 50s, additionally he had been Sheriff of Canterbury in 1934 and Mayor in 1945. By looking at the mayoral photograph it became obvious that Alfred Baynton would have been too old to serve in the Territorial Army during World War Two and the need to establish to whom the Efficiency Decoration and Crompton Parkinson badge had been awarded, and who was Ronald Baynton became the priority. A local researcher was employed to assist with answering these queries. He duly reported back having been to The National Archives, then the Public Records Office at Kew in London. He confirmed from issues of the London Gazette the award of an Officer of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire to Alderman Alfred Baynton in the New Years Honours List of 1945; and in 1944, the award of an Efficiency Decoration to Lieutenant Colonel Ronald Alfred Baynton Royal Artillery. It was obvious now that these were two separate people but their relationship was still uncertain. Further letters were sent to Canterbury City council and the research department of the local library, the latter producing a wealth of information on Alderman Baynton, including a brief resume of his life from a book written about the East Kent Road Car Company by Frank Woodworth of which he had been General Manager from 1916 until 1948. There were also many copies of local newspaper articles from his time as Sheriff and Mayor of Canterbury including one from a souvenir brochure clearly showing Baynton with His Majesty King George VI and Queen Elizabeth on a Royal visit to the city in 1946. A visit to what was then Somerset House and the extraction of Alfred Baynton’s will provided further useful information such as the place and town of death, but most importantly his benefactor, who was Ronald Alfred Baynton his only son! Thus it was immediately established that the medal group did belong together, although not as originally stated, but as an interesting Father and son group. A letter written to the Editor's column of the local Kentish Gazette also prompted two local people to write and give a little more information. The last part of the research jigsaw, supposedly, was to establish the whereabouts of Alfred Baynton’s final resting place. It was known from the paperwork he had died in 1976 aged 94, in the East Hertfordshire Hospital having lived in a Salvation Army home in Stanstead Abbotts before that. Following numerous telephone calls to the Salvation Army, Kent County Council Cemeteries Division and even the Vicar of Stanstead Abotts Parish Church who went and looked around the graveyard for a headstone no further information could be obtained. Advice was subsequently taken from a professional biographer and acting on his suggestion the local undertakers in Ware, Hertfordshire, this being the nearest large town to Stanstead Abbotts, were telephoned. Within minutes the exact time and place of Alfred Baynton’s burial were established, The City of London Cemetery in Manor Park. The cemetery was telephoned and confirmed that both Baynton and his wife were buried there, but after all of this effort - there was no headstone! Despite this set back it was decided to go to the cemetery and at least view the plot where he had been buried. On Wednesday 18th January 1995 a visit was made to the City of London Cemetery and having liaised with the wardens the plot was found, but to everyone’s surprise – including the Warden who had to amend his records – a headstone was in place but it bore only testimony to Mrs Florence Mary Baynton, wife of Alfred and the former Mayoress. It was interesting that there was space beneath her inscription for Alfred’s name but had never been added, possibly due to the fact that his son died so soon after his own death? Wheels were immediately put in motion with the cemetery who gave permission for a further inscription to be added if funds could be raised.
A number of presentations on the life of Alfred Baynton were undertaken and collections made. The Kentish Gazette also ran a front page story on the research resulting in further donations and eventually in January 1999 the work was undertaken and the new inscription added that read
AND HER HUSBAND ALFRED BAYNTON OBE SHERIFF OF CANTERBURY 1934-35 AND MAYOR 1945-46 1881-1976 Finally as Ronald Alfred Baynton had never served abroad during World War 2 a fact established from the Army Lists and London Gazettes it was established he was entitled to the Defence Medal and 1939-1945 British War Medal also. these were subsequently acquired and added to his TD. This Father and Son group of medals now form an interesting part of the collection, Alfred Baynton’s belonging to a dedicated and committed man who lived to the great age of 94. A crowning glory to his life and indeed this research is the fact his name has now been placed on his gravestone 23 years following his death and at last he may be properly remembered. This story is yet another example of how a grimy set of apparently unnamed and uninteresting medals lurking in the back of a dealer’s display can bear much fruit! |
During March 2012, nearly 18 years after their acquisition, a visit was eventually made to Canterbury, and photographs taken of the Past Mayors name board held in the Council Chamber, Tower House, and of New Dover Road Alfred's home address.
Canterbury Past Mayors Name Board within Tower House
29 New Dover Road, Canterbury. Alfred's home.
March 2012
March 2012
Canterbury Although first registered at the College of Heralds in 1619, Canterbury's coat of arms is medieval in origin and appeared on official documents as long ago as 1380. Canterbury's links with Royalty - it has been a Royal city since at least the 6th century - are denoted by the heraldic leopard, whilst the three black choughs are taken from the arms ascribed to Thomas Becket. Canterbury, along with Whitstable and Herne Bay, is in the City of Canterbury local government district. The city's urban area consists of the six electoral wards of Barton, Harbledown, Northgate, St Stephens, Westgate, and Wincheap. These wards have fifteen of the fifty seats on the Canterbury City Council. The city became a county corporate in 1461, and later a county borough under the Local Government Act 1888. In 1974 it lost its status as the smallest county borough in England, after the Local Government Act 1972, and came under the control of Kent County Council.
Motto: Ave Mater Anglia - For Mother England.
Motto: Ave Mater Anglia - For Mother England.
Mayor of Canterbury Canterbury was granted a City Charter in 1448 which gave it the right to have a mayor and a sheriff. King Henry VI decreed that the City should be "of one Mayor and one commonalty, wholly corporate for ever". The first Mayor elected under Royal Charter was John Lynde. The responsibilities of Mayors have diminished over the years. They were once in charge of keeping the peace, serving as Chief Magistrate and presiding over the local lawcourt. This caused problems as the Mayor could be asked to chair sessions without experience or knowledge of law. The Justices of the Peace Act of 1968 decreed that Mayors were no longer entitled to sit as magistrates by virtue of their office alone. The dignity and title of Lord Mayor was granted on 13 July 1988 whilst the 12th Lambeth Conference of the Anglican Church was being held in the city.
Click here to view the Past Mayors of Canterbury
Click here to view the Past Mayors of Canterbury
The Sheriff of Canterbury is a shrievalty in the city of Canterbury, England. The office was first held in 1461 by Richard Carpenter, when a charter of king Edward IV granted the city the perpetual status of a county independent of Kent itself. The role was at that time involved in police and legal functions (overseeing public executions, collecting taxes and having powers of arrest), but is now honorific. The role survived the local government reorganisation of 1974, when a large number of other areas lost County Borough status and thus had their Sheriffs' posts abolished, and the Sheriff is still elected at the Annual Council Meeting in May. Canterbury City Council in 2002 merged the role of deputy Chairman of the Council into that of Sheriff, to create a Civic Team of only the Sheriff and the Lord Mayor.
Click here to view the Past Sheriffs of Canterbury
Click here to view the Past Sheriffs of Canterbury
Click here to see another Mayor of Canterbury Bernard Arthur Collins MBE
Medal Details:
- Order of the Excellent Order of British Empire: Unnamed as awarded.
- Silver Jubilee Medal 1935: Unnamed as awarded.
This page last updated 12 Dec 14