By: Capt (ret'd) Michael M. O'Leary, CD, The RCR
John Charles Bailey was born at Calabogie, Ontario, on 11 Jan 1890. The son of Richard and Lilian Bailey, the family is listed in the 1911 Canadian census. The census shows that Charles is the third child and oldest son of eight children. Twenty-one year old Charles is listed in the Census with siblings Beatrice (24), Laurel (23), Charles (21), Gordon (13), Grace (10), Frances (8), and Muriel (3).
On 13 May 1915, while claiming to be two years younger than his actual age, Bailey attests for overseas service in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. He joined the 51st Canadian Infantry Battalion which was being recruited at Edmonton, Alberta. On attestation, he gives his name simply as Charles Bailey. At a stated age of 23 years 4 months, he was described during his medical inspection as 5 feet 6 inches tall, 140 pounds, and with a 36 inch chest measurement. A Presbyterian, Bailey listed his mother, Mrs Richard Bailey, as his next of kin.
With the 51st Battalion, Bailey sailed from Halifax aboard the S.S. Olympic on 18 Apr 1916. The unit disembarked at Liverpool, England, on 28 Apr 1916 and would become part of the C.E.F. reinforcement system. The 51st Battalion would provide troops for the Canadian Corps in the field, and be reorganized as a garrison duty battalion on 13 Nov 1916. Finally, on 22 Jun 1917, its personnel would be absorbed by the various regimental depots.
Charles Bailey would be in an early draft of men leaving the 51st Battalion. On 8 Jun 1916, Bailey was struck off the strength of the 51st Battalion and immediately proceeded "overseas" across the Channel to France. Two days prior, on 6 Jun 1916 as part of his preparations to go to France, Bailey completed the Military Will in his Pay Book. It reads: "In the event of my death, I give the whole of my property and effects to my father, Richard Bailey, Calabogie, Ontario."
On 9 Jun 1916, the day after landing in France, Bailey was taken on the strength of the 1st Canadian Infantry Battalion, joining the draft for the Battalion at the Canadian Base Depot. He joined the 1st Battalion in the field on 11 Jun 1916.
The 1st Battalion's "Battle Bar Document" (prepared after the war by the Militia Department in anticipation of the possibility of clasps for the British War Medal) offers the following summary of activities for Bailey's time at the front:
Bailey's experiences of the trenches over the months of June to September 1916 capture the stereotypical infantry soldier's experience of the Great War, starting with the 1st Battalion's attack on 15 June 1915 at Givenchy. Heavy losses and a Victoria Cross won marked that significant date for the unit. In the months that followed Bailey experienced the steady rotation between front line trenches, support trenches, and reserve positions. Interspersed in that routine were periods of training and long marches and movement by train to change sectors of the front.
On 21 Sep 1916, the 1st Battalion would go back into the front lines (Sheet 57.c.SW South & East of COURCELETTE M.25.b. & M.19.d). It would be a busy tour of the trenches for the Battalion until being relieved on the night of 23/24 Sep, but it was Charles Bailey's fate to fall in battle on the first day of that tour.
The battalion's Battle Bar document offers the following summary of activities for 21-23 Sep 1916:
The Battalion's War Diary offers a detailed description for the day prior to and the day of Bailey's death:
Charles Bailey was killed in action on 21 Sep 1916. The Circumstances of Death register held by Library and Archives Canada notes the location only as "Near Courcelette." The reported location of his battlefield grave was recorded as "just South East of Courcelette, France." Despite the fact that his battlefield burial was noted, Bailey's body was not subsequently recovered for re-interment in a Commonwealth War Graves cemetery.
Charles Bailey is commemorated on the Vimy Memorial. He was 26 years old at the time of his death.
The silver Memorial Cross commemorating Bailey's sacrifice was sent to Bailey's mother on 7 May 1920. Later that year, in December, 1920, the Memorial Plaque and accompanying scroll were sent to the family. It was not until 22 Feb 1923, that the medals Bailey was entitled to, the British War Medal and the Victory Medal, were sent to his parents.
Visit a randomly selected page in The O'Leary Collection (or reload for another choice):
Follow The Regimental Rogue on facebook.
477951 Private Frederick George Walker
Wounded in action, 9 Apr 1917. Died of wounds, 18 Apr 1917.
Captain Percy McKinley Millman
"Percy Millman, a prominent insurance man of this city, has been named paymaster."
455084 Private William Mercer
Commemorated on the Vimy Memorial.
Lieutenant Bertram Tschudi Nevitt
"He died as he lived, a soldier and a gentleman, and at the very forefront of battle."
6420 Bugler (Private) William Thomas Durrant
Discharged from the C.E.F., medically unfit, on 18 Jan 1915.
715141 Private Edward Kay Irving
Wounded in action near Ypres on 16 Nov 1917.
455304 Private Clayton "Earl" Varcoe
Previously reported missing … now officially Prisoner of War.
3203064 Private Wilfred Seaforth Nicholas
Nicholas arrived at the Regiment on 13 Nov 1918.
455657 Private Ernest William Partridge
"He was wounded in the chest and left arm by bullets … and succumbed one week later at No. 49 C.C.S."
6056 Private David Henry Stayte
"Woodstock Private Killed In Action—Givenchy Survivor Falls"
12536 Private Gaudias "Jock/Grandpa/Pop" Villeneuve
"Grandpa" Villeneuve had a wonderful meal awaiting us.