Ernest Reginal Baker - Staff Register CO 874/203

A young Reg relaxing after work in his (as it says on the back) "costume de la nuit… an early attempt" – night costume.

Summary of Final Facts

• 1914 – 1939: Baker worked in Borneo (recorded in CO 874/203).
• 1953/1954: He sold his house, “Sandakan”, in the United Kingdom.
• March 1975: Baker passed away in Chichester (confirmed by heirs and official UK death records).

Ernest Reginald Baker – Key Infrastructure Projects in North Borneo

1. Tamparuli Low-Level Bridge

• Years: Around 1930–1934
• Significance: This is Baker’s most famous work.
• Unique Fact: Designed as a “floodable bridge” to withstand the strong currents of the Tuaran River. Records show Baker personally supervised both the design and construction.

2. “25-Mile Range” Lighthouse (Sandakan)

• Location: Sandakan, then the capital of North Borneo
• Role: Baker oversaw the construction of a major lighthouse with a beam range of 25 miles, ensuring the safety of ships entering Sandakan Harbour.

3. Sandakan Drainage & Sewerage System

• Period: Circa 1914–1916
• Position: Assistant Engineer in Sandakan, under Mr. Budden
• Infrastructure: Directly involved in building main roads, large drainage channels, and sewer systems in Sandakan.
• Note: These works were documented in his application to join the Institution of Civil Engineers.

4. Harbour Bases & Jetties

• Expertise: Harbour works and foundational design.
• Background: Trained in Newcastle, UK, under J. Watt Sandeman.
• Contribution: Brought to Borneo to assist in designing and constructing harbour bases and jetties at major ports across North Borneo.

In short, Baker was not only the engineer behind the iconic Tamparuli Bridge, but also a pivotal figure in shaping Sabah’s early infrastructure—from maritime safety in Sandakan to urban drainage systems and harbor facilities. His career reflects the blend of British engineering training with the practical challenges of colonial-era Borneo.

Key Details from CO 874/203 (Staff Register)

Details	Information in CO 874/203
Name	Baker, Ernest Reginald
Final Position	Executive Engineer, PWD (Public Works Department)
Date of Appointment	1914
Starting Salary	£300 per year
Service Notes	Served in Sandakan, Kudat, and the West Coast (Pantai Barat)

FYI: Archive System in London (Tree Structure)

Code	Description
CO (Colonial Office)	This is the “Department” – the Colonial Office.
874 (Series)	This is the “Shelf” specifically for records of the British North Borneo Chartered Company (BNBCC). There are thousands of files under this 874 series.
203 (File Number)	This is the very specific “Book/Box.” For example, CO 874/203 refers to the Staff Register where names like Ernest Reginald Baker are recorded.