Edgar Oliver Baddeley

(Photo and text from "Who's Who In Newport" 1920.)

Baddeley, Edgar Oliver was born at Newport in 1858. He is the youngest son of the late Captain J. C. Baddeley, of Brixham, South Devon, who removed to Newport in 1853. He was educated chiefly at the Wesleyan Public Schools, Pillgwenlly, and at Mr. Hunt's school, Weston-super-Mare. On leaving school, in 1870, he entered the office of Messrs. Nicholas & Co., the old established firm of timber and slate merchants, at the Baltic Wharf, Newport, and has remained with this firm ever since. He advanced step by step, until he attained the responsible position of manager. Previous to 1884 the business had been carried on as a private firm, but in that year it was decided to convert it into a limited company, with the late Edwin J. Orice as chairman and Captain Lonsdale as managing director. On the death of the last-named gentleman, in 1894, Mr. Baddeley was unanimously appointed by the directors as his successor, which position he still holds. He has been twice a vice-president of the Newport Chamber of Commerce Incorporated. He is married, and his eldest son, Mr. W. Colwell Baddeley, took a commission as second lieutenant, was two and a half years in France in the 2nd Mons., and was transferred to the Tank Corps, where he obtained a captaincy. His younger son, H. Ward Baddeley, after passing his examination in accountancy, went out in 1911 to British North Borneo to take up a responsible post with a rubber company in that island. At the time of the inauguration of the Poor Children's Rreakfast Fund Mr. Baddeley took a warm interest in the movement, and rendered useful service as treasurer to the committee. Office: 10 Dock Street. Telegrams: "Baltic." Telephones: 3227, 3228. Residence : Colwell House, 59 Risca Road.