THERE WAS sad news for the local British community this week with the news of the death of Merrick Baker-Bates, British Consul General in Los Angeles from 1992-1997. Merrick passed away on Friday, February 24.
Merrick was a tireless promoter of British business and culture during his time in the City of Angels, and managing his duties with effortless ease and charm, not to mention a very welcome warmth with everyone he encountered.
Born on July 22nd 1939, Merrick entered HM Diplomatic Services in 1963 as 3rd, later 2nd Secretary Tokyo, he then went on to become 1st Secretary Washington, 1st Secretary Tokyo, Deputy High Commissioner and Counsellor Kuala Lumpar, Head of Atlantic & Antarctic, FCO and Commissioner British Antarctic Territory until he became the British Consul General in Los Angeles in 1992 where he served for 5 years. His close friend the film producer Katy Haber MBE worked with him extensively on local humanitarian projects and summed up his contribution to our community with the following words: ”I am truly devastated by the news of the passing of CG Merrick Baker-Bates CMG. No one has contributed more to the British community in the US than Merrick, who during his tenure as CG, founded UK/LA that ultimately became Britweek. He was far more than a politician, he was a humanitarian, using his platform to reach out to the poor and the downtrodden, opening up the doors of the Consulate residence to children of the incarcerated on the weekends. I will eternally be blessed to call him friend.”
