George
Firstname
Wallace
Middle Name
Bailey
Surname
Date of Birth
School Years:
Date of Death:
1922 - 27
Family
Parents: Herbert Johnson Bailey
Florence Jane Bailey (nee Mallett)
Siblings: Raymond, Jessie, Kenneth and Bernard
School Record
George was awarded the school certificate in 1927 passing with credit in 7 subjects: english, history, latin, french, mathematics, physics and chemistry. He was an intelligent scholar with a remarkable memory for facts.
After leaving school he joined the East Anglian Daily Times and became a journalist. later joining the Manchester Guardian.
Branch of Service:
Royal Corps of Signals
Service Number:
2590180
Rank:
Decorations:
Service Record
Sgt
1939 - 45 Star, War Medal 1939 - 45, Defence Medal, France & Germany Star
Post War Career
Enlisted on 30.01.1940 in Ipswich aged 27 years. Commanded a signal troop in the 11 Armoured Division through campaign in NW Europe 44 - 46. After the Allies had invaded Normandy, the 11th Armoured Division participated in Operations Epsom and Goodwood. It also participated in the drive to Amiens. On 4 September, they captured the Belgian city of Antwerp. The Division then pushed forward into the German-occupied Netherlands. In March 1945, it crossed the river Rhine and captured the German city of Lübeck on 2 May 1945. It occupied the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on 15 April 1945. From the end of the war in Europe (8 May 1945), the 11th Armoured Division controlled the province of Schleswig Holstein until it was disbanded shortly after the war ended in January 1946. George was highly commended by his Regimental Commander for efficiency at all times and awarded C in C Certificate. Discharged 19.11.45, he transferred to the army reserve.
Resumed career as a journalist In Manchester. In 1956 he joined the Times as a sub-editor based in London. He married Peggy Marie Fransella, lecturer in librarianship. They lived in Highgate for many years before retiring to Belstead, Suffolk. In retirement, George was a volunteer in the Ipswich School archive.
Burial Information
Additional Information
Other Pictures
George (school photo 1928)
Left to right - Brothers George, Bernard and Ray. All Old Ipswichians. 1941
George (left) in NW Europe
George (right) winter 1944