Bailey, Stephen Louis

No.289 Gunner Stephen Louis Bailey 36^th Heavy Artillery Group

Stephen Louis Bailey was born at Hamilton, Lanarck, Scotland to Henry & Julie Bailey on May 9th 1892. He had two younger sisters, Marion born in 1895 and Agnes in 1896. He went to St Mary’s School at Hamilton Scotland and later took up work as a farm hand. Unfortunately, his father died in 1901 and his mother in 1905. Stephen left Scotland for Australia arriving at Fremantle on July 10^th 1911 when he was 19 years old. After his arrival he became a permanent soldier when he joined the Royal Australian Garrison Artillery where he was given the Regimental number 799. When war was declared Stephen was stationed at the Artillery Barracks in Fremantle. Though in the 1916 census he was listed as being at Albany, however he had left from Fremantle for the Western Front the year before.

On the 1^st June 1915, members of the RAGA enlisted en-masse to form a heavy artillery brigade for service in France. Stephen was accepted as a Gunner and given the Regimental number 289. He was given a medical examination, and he was found to be 5 feet 7 & ½ inches in height; weight of 140 lbs; chest measurement of 34-37 inches; medium complexion; blue eyes and brown hair. His religious denomination was Roman Catholic.

The RAGA men from Fremantle were initially sent to Melbourne for initial training and then left Victoria for England on the 17^th July 1915 aboard the Orsova. Further training was conducted in England and the men were sent to France in February 1916. Stephen was attached to the 54^th Battery. He served through 1916; his only blemish being when he was awarded Field Punishment No.2 for leaving his sentry post before being properly relieved. He was granted to leave at the end of 1916, so perhaps he took the opportunity to have Christmas with his family in Scotland. He rejoined his Battery on the 31^st December 1916.

Through January & February 1917 Stephen was in and out of hospital with several complaints, both illness and injury, only rejoining the 54^th Battery on 30 March 1917. He undertook a first aid course in late May 1917, returning to the unit in the first week of June. The 54^th Battery were then providing cover for the front line near Nieuport in Belgium.

On the 10^th July 1917 the 54^th Battery positions were hit by German shellfire. According to Gunner J.T. Dalzell of the 54^th Battery;

“Bailey was hit by a shell at St. George’s Wood (known as Triangle Wood) Nieuport between 6 & 7 pm on July 10^th. He was hit in the leg. We could not get him away for a few hours and I think the delay may have caused his death. We got him to the Dressing Station and from there to hospital at La Panne, where he died in 3 or 4 days. He was buried at Coxyde Cemetery. I have seen his grave with a cross on it. I knew him very well, we were on the same gun, he came from Western Australia. I had known him 12 months, he was an old soldier, about 25, fair, 5’10, clean shaven.”

Stephen Louis Bailey died on the 13^th July 1917, his report being submitted by the 91^st Field Ambulance in Belgium.

Stephen’s family in Scotland received all his personal effects & medals.