George Vernon's Story.
Son of Mr. Albert Bayley and Mrs. Susannah Bayley of 8 Canal Street, Congleton, Cheshire also 33, Swan Street, Congleton and Rock View, Millers Dale, Tideswell, Derbyshire. Husband of Florence Bayley of Fountain Square, Tideswell.
Private George Vernon Bailey, enlisted at Buxton in the 1St/1St Battalion, The Derbyshire Yeomanry and in April 1915 the Regiment sailed from Avonmouth for Egypt, where the Brigade was re designated the 3rd Mounted Brigade in the 2nd Division. In August, the Division was sent, dismounted to Gallipoli, landing at Suvla Bay. On the 21st August, the Brigade marched across the plain at Lala Baba to Chocolate Hill under heavy shell fire for a mile and a quarter. A number of casualties were incurred. The Brigade arrived at Chocolate Hill at 16 50 hours. The Brigade was at dusk ordered out through the south end of Chocolate Hill to support the attack of the 1st and 4th Brigades on Hill 112 (N). They lost direction and extended the line 400 yards north. The casualties from this action amounted to 78 with 20 dead. Private George Vernon Bailey being among those killed in action.
Extract from The Congleton Chronicle 1915.
We deeply regret to record the melancholy fact that another of our brave townsman Private G. Bailey has been killed while serving King and Country and that by his death two young children are fatherless. Although he resided in Tideswell and was killed in action last August, his wife has only just been officially informed. He was at first reported as wounded and then wounded and missing. He was formerly employed at the Forge Mill , Congleton and was a popular member of the Congleton Volunteer Band, being of a cheery and affable disposition, he was greatly respected by a large number of friends at Millers Dale Station where before enlisting he was a porter. Many Congleton people too, will cherish pleasant thoughts of their association with young Bailey to them is vouchsafed the consolation that he died fighting for the national honour, and to save our national, civic and domestic privileges from a race of boastful vandals. Truly a noble death and one which will go down to posterity. We extend our sincere sympathy to his wife and parents in their sad bereavement
George is also remembered on the War Memorial at Tideswell in Derbyshire.
Cheshire County Memorial Project would like to thank John and Christopher Pullen for compiling this research on George.