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Name: BAKER-CARR, Christopher D'Arcy Bloomfield Saltren CMG, DSO (Brig.-General)
Birth Date: 3 Mar 1878 Lanteglos, Cornwall
Death Date: 10 Jan 1949 Bacton, Norfolk
First Date: 1920
Profession: Sawmill, farmer
Area: 'Suam Estate', Kitale
Married: 1. In London 11 Aug 1902 Sara De Witt Quinan b. 1880 San Francisco, d. 15 Mar 1969 Rhodesia; 2. 1932 Agnes Helena Windsor b. 1894, d. 1960 Surrey
Children: Sir John Darcy Baker-Carr, Air Marshal (15 Jan 1906 Hythe-1998); Christopher Jerome Teesdale ( 31 Dec 1903 Hythe-1970); D'Arcy Arthur (3 Feb 1908-1985)
Author: From Chauffeur to Brigadier
Book Reference: Debrett, KAD, Red 25, Red 22, Trans Nzoia Scrap Book, DSO
General Information:
Debrett - entered Rifle Brigade (Prince Consort's Own) 1898, became Capt. 1902 and Major 1914; retired 1906; Hon. Brig.-Gen. 1920; served with Nile Expedition 1898, present at battle of Khartoum (Egyptian Medal with clasp, medal), in South Africa 1899-1902, present at relief of Ladysmith (despatches, Queen's medal with 4 clasps, King's medal with 2 clasps), and during European War 1914-18, firstly as Brig.-Maj. on Gen. Staff, and subsequently as a Brig. Com.
Red 22 - Justice of the Peace - Trans Nzoia
Red 22 - Honorary Permit Issuer
Red 22 - Steward, Uasin Gishu Gymkhana Club, Eldoret
Trans Nzoia Scrap Book - Suam Sawmill - The Mill was built in 1923 by General Baker-Carr of Suam Estates, and financed by a Belgian family called Waterkeyn. It was run by a turbine off a big furrow from the Suam, and stood near the present bridge over the Suam on the Bugishu mountain road.
KAD 1922 - Committee Member, REAAA (and Red 25).
Red 25 - Honorary Permit Issuer.
Red 25 - JP, N. Trans Nzoia.
Hut - Award for development of the Vickers Machine Gun
Gazette - 26/9/1923 - Voters Register - Plateau North - Brig-General Christopher D'Arcy Barker-Carr, Farmer, Farm 1826, Trans Nzoia
Nabwera He had been demobilized from the army in January 1919 with the rank of Brigadier General. On 22 January of 1919 he reached an agreement with an American businessman, HW Rudd, who was representing other parties interested in acquiring land in East Africa. It was agreed that Rudd and his associates would advance up to £20,000 in exchange for a half interest in all assets required. In April 1919 in Baker Carr applied for a 28,000 acre land grant in Trans Nzoia on behalf of a syndicate of 12 soldier-settlers. The application was accepted, surveys were completed and instructions were passed to the land titles division for a grant to be prepared. Baker car occupied the vast estate, near Suam and soon became a well known personality in the district, being a member of the provisional district committee in 1920. Most of the retired soldiers in the syndicate never migrated to Kenya and no capital for meeting development conditions or paying land rent was forthcoming from them, the money being drawn from American businessmen. The latter eventually granted over £45,000 to Baker Car. Agricultural production on the land under the name of Suam Estates remained negligible. Following a government suit, the original members of the syndicate lost ownership. After failing to halt the collapse of his company, Baker Carr returned to England in August 1924. His fortunes continued to deteriorate and on 24 January 1928 he was arraigned before a bankruptcy court by disappointed creditors. His assets consisted of a £3 gold watch.