Wirral man's search for long-lost relative who died in crash

William Alistair Baker, of the Argyle and Sutherland Highlanders, died on December 18, 1946 in Birkenhead as a result of a car crash with a bus, as reported on his death certificate.

Nephew Andrew Archdale is trying to find out more about William's life and hopes our readers can help. 

Hoylake-born Mr Archdale, 70, told the Globe: "My father was in the Navy. My mother's maiden name was Livesey (Barbara) and she worked for many years and retired as a nurse at Arrowe Park Hospital in 1984.

"The family never spoke about the accident including my grandmother 'Peg' Baker which on reflection is sad and strange as there were not many cars and buses in those days.

"On the death certificate it also shows my grandfather, Hank Baker working as a cinema operator and his place of residence as 85 Dacre Hill, Birkenhead.

"I know there were many, many old cinemas in that area and always wondered which ones he operated and where?"

Mr Archdale - who has lived in Australia, Tasmania, California, Penang Malaysia and is currently based in Puerto Vallarta, Mexico - attended Liverpool Polytechnic in the early 1970s and worked in the civil service and hospitals in London. He is also a Liverpool supporter.

He continued: "Sadly by 1954 when I was born it seems that the whole family had gone pear shaped, my father left my mother for Canada and never returned, but that is another story.

"As you can see from the wedding picture and dresses they must have been well to do as material was very hard to come by so close after the war in 1946."

Appealing to the public's help in his search for Mr Archdale said: "Any help and advice would be greatly appreciated as I have no living relatives as my mother and father Barbara and Henry Birkett Baker have passed away."

If you have any information that could help Mr Archdale put together a picture of his uncle's life, he can be contacted by email at psscouser@yahoo.co.uk