Augustus Mark Baker was Beatriz's Grandfather. He died on in Vera Cruz July 24, 1891 at 47 while serving there as the British consul.  The following letter appears to have been published in the Times of London later in the year.

THE LATE MR. AUGUSTUS BAKER

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES

Sir, - I hope you will allow me to express in the name of a great number of my compatriots our deep and sincere regret at the premature death of Mr. Augustus Baker, the late British Vice-Consul at Vera Cruz.

He came to Serbia with the late Dr. Humphrey Sandwith at the beginning of our first war with Turkey in 1876, and his genial and sympathetic manners and his unwearying devotion in the service of the wounded made him at once popular among the Serbians. English people have given us often many generous proofs of sympathy, and the names of Mr. Mathesson, Mr. Francis Mackenzie, Dr. Humphrey Sandwith, Lord Wantage, General Laurie, and some others will always remain dear to us. But no Englishman inspired us with so warm an admiration as did Mr.Archibald Forbes, who, at the risk of his life, carried in his arms our wounded soldiers from the first line of battle as if they were his own brothers, and "Major" Baker, who seemed never to sleep during the campaign, so busy was he tending our wounded soldiers.

The people of Ujitza, where his hospital was during the first war, speak of him to this day in touching words of gratitude and admiration. Not less gratefully is he remembered in the eastern districts, especially the Zayetchar, where with English money he restored the damaged bridges and built up a number of huts and barracks to shelter poor people whose houses had been burnt down by the Turks. When a number of Russian surgeons and nurses were at the point of leaving Serbia in consequence of the want of Russian funds, Major Baker placed at their disposal a large sum of money collected in England and retained their services to the sick and wounded. This conduct made a deep impression on both Russians and Serbians. when some persons remonstrated with him on political grounds for this use of English money Major Baker answered simply: -"England and Russia may be antagonistic in politics, but all antagonism between Englishmen and Russians vanishes in presence of wounded and dying men."

When Mr. Baker was appointed British Vice-Consul at Nish he made strenuous efforts to develop the commercial relations between England and Serbia. But though we are thankful for the support he never ceased to give to the interests of the Serbian people, we shall cherish sacredly the memory of "Major Baker" chiefly for his admirable services to our wounded during the war.

Thanking you for allowing me to give expression to the feelings of most of my countrymen towards the memory of a gallant Englishman,

I am, Sir, your obedient servant,

MIJATOVICH, formerly Serbian Minister in London

14, Campden-grove, W., Aug 4.

Th obituary clipping was supplied by Carlota Rokita, Beatriz's daughter. In the letter that came with the clipping, Carlota said that Augustus Baker studied medicine at Heidelberg. He studied at a German university because Catholics were not allowed to attend university in England when he was young. He never actually became a doctor.

This page was updated on Sunday, April 11, 2004.