Military History

Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Suffolk’ A23 for England 6.10.1916.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 6th Reinforcement, 51st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Bailey disembarked with the 51st Battalion at Plymouth, England 2.12.1916 and marched in to Training Camp. He proceeded overseas per ‘Princess Victoria’ to France 29.12.1916. The 51st Battalion fought through the harsh winter of 1916-17 in the trenches on the Somme. Bailey was admitted to Hospital with  problems from a flat right foot 30.7.1917. Bailey was granted leave 14.1.1918. He rejoined his unit in France 30.1.1918. The 51st Battalion fought in the major offensive against the Germans at Villers-Bretonneux on 25.4.1918. During this well co-ordinated night attack, the town was regained by the Allies. There were heavy losses in the 51st Battalion, particularly in the counter attack at Bois del'Abbe. Bailey was killed in action KIA during this Battle at Villers-Bretonneux, France 25.4.1918. His Brigade buried their dead outside village of Villers-Bretonneux.  A cross was erected to commenemorated the Officers, NCOs and men who died in this action. Bailey’s death was recorded in Australian papers (West Australian Newspaper 4.6.1917). The exact site of his grave is unknown. He is commemorated at the Villers-Bretonneux Memorial, Villers-Bretonneux, Villers-Bretonneux Area, Picardie, France.
Final Rank Private, 51st Battalion, Australian Imperial Force.
Medical Condition Deceased, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes
'He sleeps beside his comrades
In a hallowed grave unknown.
His name is written in letters of love
In the hearts he left at Home.'
(West Australian Newspaper 21.5.1918)

Photo  Pte. J L Bailey. Photographer Ruskin Studio, photograph source Australian War Memorial PO6941.001
             SS 'Suffolk' in Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM P00998.027
             Villers-Bretonneux, ruined church 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E0215
             Cross for the men of the 51st who fell at Bois de l'Abbe 24/2.4.1918. Photo May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM E04856

Information Source
AWM P06941.00. Pte. John Leslie Bailey. Photographer Ruskin Studio, photgraph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM P00998.027. SS 'Suffolk' in Suez Canal 1916. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E0215. Villers-Bretonneux, ruined church 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM E04856. Cross for the men of the 51st who fell at Bois de l'Abbe 24/2.4.1918. Photo May 1918. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the  Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
Australian War Memorial Embarkation Roll- John Leslie Bailey
Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour- John Leslie Bailey
Australian War Memorial website photo
Guildford Primary School Honour Roll
Guildford War Memorial
NAA: B2455, Bailey J L
West Australian Newspaper
Wise, H. and Co. Western Australian Post Office Directories. SLWA

134 Queens Road, South Guildford, WA. (Helena  Loc 21, Lot 22)

 

Associated Images