William Baker (c.1856-1898)

William Baker was a labourer who was found dead in the Butterley Reservoir puddle trench shortly after 7am on the morning of 13 September by fellow worker William Busby.[1]

It was reported that Baker's skull was "shockingly fractured" and it was assumed he had accidentally tumbled into the trench, possibly the evening before, falling 60 feet to his death.[2]

He was buried on 15 September at St. Bartholomew, Marsden. The church's burial register contains the note "Found dead in Waterwork. Inquest."

Notes and References

  1. "Fatality at Huddersfield Water Works" in Yorkshire Evening Post (13/Sep/1898).
  2. "Killed at a Huddersfield Reservoir" in Leeds Mercury (14/Sep/1898). The Mercury reported his name as "Barker", however the Burial Register entry is for "Baker".