2nd Lieutenant Ernest Bailey

• Age: 24
• From: Ashton on Ribble
• Regiment: 21st Bn Kings
• Died on Saturday 28th October 1916
• Commemorated at: Guards Cem Lesboeuf
  Panel Ref: XI.W.6

Ernest Bailey was born at Ashton near Preston in late 1892 and was the son of Samuel Bailey and his wife Bertha (nee Wilde) who married in Fylde in December 1880. Samuel was from Halifax whilst Bertha was originally from Chadderton. Ernest was baptised on 05th April 1897 at St Andrews Church, Ashton on Ribble. 

The 1901 Census finds the family living at 8 Beech Grove, Ashton on Ribble. 

The father Samuel aged 44, born 1857 is shown as a Tea Dealer who was born in Lindley, Yorkshire. His wife Bertha is aged 42, born 1859 in Lancashire and she has no occupation listed They have four children at the time of the Census, Herbert Bolton aged 19, born 1882 and he is employed as a bank clerk, Ada is aged 16, born 1885, Ernest is aged 8, born 1893 and Walter is aged 5, born 1896. Their children were all born in Lancashire. They also have a general servant living at the address, Mary Bailey a single woman aged 26, born 1875 in Denbighshire, Wales.

Ernest was educated at Hutton Grammar School.

By the time of the 1911 Census the family have moved. They are now living at 108 Hornby Road, Blackpool.

The father Samuel is now aged 54, and still working as a Tea Dealer, his wife Bertha is aged 52, and has no occupation listed They have been married for thirty years and have had six children of which one had died. At the taking of the Census, they have three children still living at the home address, Edgar Samuel is aged 34 and is a commercial traveller in the tea trader, Herbert Bolton aged 29, is a grocer and Ernest aged 18, is a dental student. They have two servants living at the address, Sarah Kennedy a single woman aged 22, born 1889 in Workington, who is employed as a housemaid and Teresa Kernan a single woman aged 21, born 1890 in Newcastle and she is a cook/general.    

His father died in 1915 aged 58. He was the founder of Samuel Bailey & Co. Tea and Coffee Merchants of Preston.   

Ernest was studying Dentistry at Victoria University, Manchester, where he was a member of the OTC from October 1913 - March 1915. He was in his last year of studies at the outbreak of war and in March 1915 he joined the Public Schools Battalion (Royal Fusiliers) with whom he served 9 months in France.

He was then granted a Commission and was gazetted on 04th August 1916 and posted to the 21st Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment.

He returned to the front on 7th September, in all probability attached to the 4th Battalion of The King's Liverpool Regiment. He was killed in action on 28th October 1916 aged 24 and is buried at Guards Cemetery, LesBoeufs, France at XI.W.6 where he rests next to James Stewart of the 22nd Battalion KLR attached to the 4th Bn.

On 7th November 1916 the Lancashire Daily Post carried a report of him being reported missing and follwed this story up on 08th November 1916 with the sad news that Ernest had been killed. His personal effects were returned to his mother.

The Blackpool Herald and Fylde Advertiser date November 10th, 1916 reported

MISSING OFFICER

SECOND LIEUT,  ERNEST BAILEY

Second Lieutenant Ernest Bailey, third son of the late Mr. Samuel Bailey of Blackpool and Preston, and of Mrs. Bailey of 108 Hornby- road, Blackpool, is officially reported missing since October 28th. He is 24 years of age, and belongs to the King's Liverpool Regiment. Soon after the war broke out he enlisted in the Public Schools Battalion, Royal Fusiliers, and after being at the front nine months came home to take up a commission. He was gazetted on August 4th last, and returned to France on September 7th.   

Before he enlisted, Lieut Bailey, who was popular with a large circle of friends at Blackpool, was a dental student in his last year at Manchester University. Mrs. S. Bailey is naturally anxious to receive any news of her son. His younger brother Walter, is with the Canadians at the front   

The Preston Herald dated 11th November reported his death,

BAILEY. -- October 28th, killed in action, in France, Sec-Lieutenant Ernest Bailey, King's Liverpool Regt., aged 24 years.-- Hornby road, Blackpool. 

Ernest is commemorated on the following Memorials:

Blackpool Roll of Honour

Hutton Grammar School Roll of Honour, 

Manchester University.

We currently have no further information on Ernest Bailey, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.