Herbert Bailey
Date of birth: 1890
Date of death: 19.12.1915
Area: Ferrybridge, Knottingley
Regiment: Durham Light Infantry
Family information: Husband of Evelyn Bailey nee Wright
Rank: Lance Corporal
Service number: 16948
War Service
Herbert Bailey’s Military Service Record shows that he was a potter. He enlisted at Stockton in 1914 as Lance Corporal service number 16948 in the 14th Battalion Durham Light Infantry. He died on 19th December 1915 aged 24 of gas poisoning and is buried in the Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery.
During the First World War, the village of Lijssenthoek was situated on the main communication line between the Allied military bases in the rear and the Ypres battlefields. Close to the Front, but out of the extreme range of most German field artillery, it became a natural place to establish casualty clearing stations. The cemetery was first used by the French 15th Hopital D’Evacuation and in June 1915, it began to be used by casualty clearing stations of the Commonwealth forces.
The Military Service Record also shows that at the time of his death his widow Evelyn was residing at Broughtons Yard, Ferrybridge and his parents Samuel Charles and Zillah Bailey were living at Fisher Street, Knottingley.
Pontefract and Castleford Express – Roll of Honour 17th August 1917
“PRATT – BAILEY – TAYLOR – MILLER
In loving memory of my dear husband Pte J T Pratt, KOYLI, of Ferrybridge, killed in action 8 June 1917.
Also my dear brother-in-law L/Cpl H Bailey died from gas 19 December 1915.
And Pte H Taylor died somewhere in France 1 July 1916.
And Pte F Miller drowned at Athlone, Ireland whilst serving King and Country 22 December 1916.
May their reward be as great as their sacrifice.
From the sorrowing wife Milly Pratt.”
Family Life
Herbert Bailey was born in the fourth quarter of 1890 and his birth was registered at Rotherham. He was the son of Samuel Charles Bailey and Zillah nee Wilkinson, who married in the second quarter of 1884 and their marriage was registered at Doncaster.
Herbert Bailey married Evelyn Wright on 25th December 1912 and this was registered at Pontefract. In the 1911 census Herbert was living at Church Lane, Knottingley with his parents and siblings and was employed as a Sagger Maker in the pottery industry. Evelyn Wright, in the same census, lived at Doncaster Road, Ferrybridge.
Lijssenthoek Military Cemetery
