No.90313, Gunner, Fred BAILEY
Aged 31
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Fred Bailey was born on 20th December 1887 in Soham, (Newmarket Q4-1888 3B:539), baptised in St Lawrence, Wicken on 25th May 1890, the son of Herbert and Alice BAILEY
(née BUTCHER).
1891 census...Aged 3, he was at High Street, Wicken with his father Herbert BAILEY [33] Butter/cheese dealer, born Wicken; his mother Alice [32], born Isleham; half brother George H [9] and brother William H [2 months] both born in Wicken; sisters Florence M [4] born Wicken and Nellie M [2] born Soham. His father was previously married to Elizabeth LAYTON (1857-1884), the mother of George Herbert, and married Alice BUTCHER in 1884. His father died in 1892. 1901 census...Aged 13, yard boy on farm, he was at Chapel Lane, Wicken with his widowed mother and sisters Florence and Nellie. 1911 census...Aged 23, a farm labourer he was at Chapel Lane, Wicken with his mother. He married Ethel LILES ( born 9-7-1890) in Soham Church on 25th December 1912. They had four daughters. Winifred Eva [23rd May 1913], Jessie [8th August 1914] Nellie Miriam [8th November 1915) all born in Wicken, and Florence Ethel [8th February 1917] born in Newmarket. On the pension card (1919), Ethel was at Church Road, Wicken At the time of his death his mother was still in Chapel Lane, brother George's address was unknown, sister Florence was at The Nick, Cross Green, Wicken, Nellie Miriam was now Mrs HANN, at Pinckney's Farm, Durrington, Wiltshire. |
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He enlisted in Newmarket, attested Bury St Edmunds on 11th December 1915. He gave his age as 27 years 11 months, married, a labourer, 5 feet 9 inches (175.3 cm)tall, weighing 126 lbs (57.2 kg) and chest 37" to 39" (94 to 99.1 cm). On Reserves for Royal Garrison Artillery, mobilised on 30th May 1916 and posted to depot. Posted to 19 Company on 13th June 1916 and to the British Expeditionary Force in France on28th June 1916. He fell sick on 18th September 1917 (seems to have been sent to Treport Hospital. He was posted to base 14th October 14th 1917., and sent to 393 Siege Battery on 23rd October 1917. He was on leave in UK from 2nd to 16th December 1917. On 15th June 1918 he was in hospital in Etaples, returning to base on 4th July. Posted to 60 Siege Battery on 26th July 1918 he was then attached to the Canadian Original Railway Construction Company on 27th October 1918. Then he managed 2 weeks leave in UK, via Boulogne, from 19th December 1918. Posted to 227 Siege Battery on 18th May 1919 he died suddenly at 11 p.m.on 27th June 1919 from a severe haemorrhage caused by Tuberculosis. Initially buried in the Neue Stadtische Friedhof in Duren (22 miles west of Cologne), his grave was concentrated with all the scattered burials in western Germany at the Southern Friedhof in Cologne. His personal effects, sent to his widow were :- 4 letters, 5 photos, 4 unopened letters, note paper, pair of shoes, leather belt, packet of postcards, 2 razors, silver watch, chain and charms, 2 purses (empty) 5 brooches, penknife, nail scissors and chain, wallet and accordion. His wife was awarded a pension for her and 4 children of £2.12 shillings.2 pence per week )£2.61.
photo: Commonwealth War Graves Commission click here to go to the Commonwealth War Graves Commission website for full cemetery/memorial details |
