Sidney Samuel Bailey

A Gunner with 2nd Section 51st Divisional Ammunition Column. Sidney died on 24th of July 1918 at the age of 22. 

Sidney was born at Kirkley on 2 April 1896, a son of Robert and Sarah Ellen Bailey of 15 Southwell Road. He was baptised at Saint Peter's Church, Kirkley, on 29 April 1896. Throughout Sidney’s life his family lived at 15 Southwell Road. 

Sidney volunteered to join the Army and he enlisted in the Royal Field Artillery (Territorial Force) at Lowestoft, service number 429. He arrived in France on 1 November 1915. In 1917 he was renumbered as 645505. 

In July 1918 the 51st Divisional Ammunition Column was based at the Bray-Maroeil Road in the Arras district. On 24 July men of the column were engaged in supplying heavy artillery ammunition to the 51st Division’s artillery batteries when the enemy opened extremely heavy fire on the wood in front of their lines, commencing at 9.45 p.m. and lasting about a hour and a half. In 2 Section two men, including Sidney, were killed, four wounded and several horses were wounded as well. 

Sidney’s father, Robert Bailey, served with the Royal Naval Reserve and died in 1917.