Private Thomas Bailey

Private Thomas Bailey late of the Royal Engineers and 19^th Battalion of the Northumberland Fusiliers died of wounds on the 21^st 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

Memorial Plaque. Click here to see the envelope.

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

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

The total losses were:

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.

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.