Private Thomas Bailey

Private Thomas Bailey



Private Thomas Bailey late of the Royal Engineers and 19th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds on the 21st June 1917 aged 26.  He is remembered with honour at Aubigny Communal Cemetery Extension, Pas De Calais, France in grave III.H.44.  He was the youngest son of Mark and Mary Bailey of 45, Red Lake, Ketley, Wellington, Shropshire.

Thomas was born in Wellington, Shropshire and enlisted in Birmingham, Warwickshire.  He served an apprenticeship as a linotype operator with the Wellington Journal and later worked at Cadbury's Printing Works at Birmingham.  He was a Sunday school teacher at Ketley Parish Church

He was probably wounded as a result of 102 Brigade attack on Greenland Hill on 5th to the 8th June 1917, this marked the end of the Arras Battles for 34 Division.

The total losses were:

16 Officers 176 Other Ranks Killed
32 Officers 909 Other Ranks Wounded
1 Officer 157 Other Ranks Missing

These details are recorded in 34 Division history (The losses occurred over the 3 days mentioned earlier).
This battle is only recorded in Divisional history.


War and Victory Medal.
Click here to see the envelope.

Memorial Plaque.
Click here to see the envelope.


I have a particular interest in this group as it belongs to my daughter in law and as a consequence to my two grandsons.  Thomas Bailey was her mother's, father's, uncle, at least I think that is the relationship.  I have still to go to Wellington to investigate further.

He has the War Medal and Victory Medal both named to 47771 PTE. T. BAILEY. NORTH,D FUS.

The memorial scroll, condolence letter (medal receipt), the memorial plaque named Thomas Bailey and all of the original envelopes are with the pair of medals.

 

Thanks to Terry Lloyd for allowing me to use his photographs and also for the cuttings from Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News of 30th June 1917....


War Memorial to the fallen in World War One, in Red Lake Churchyard .

Close up of inscription on the memorial.

 

 

On the right is a picture of Thomas Bailey and an extract of text taken from an edition of Wellington Journal and Shrewsbury News dated 30th June 1917.
The photo and text have been taken out of context to suit this page layout.  Click here to see how it actually appeared in the newspaper.