Bernard
Firstname
Frank
Middle Name
Bailey
Surname
Date of Birth
School Years:
Date of Death:
1934 -39
Family
Parents: Herbert Johnson Bailey
Florence Jane Bailey ( Mallett)
Siblings: George, Raymond, Jessie and Kenneth
School Record
Branch of Service:
RAVR
Service Number:
1336817
Rank:
Decorations:
Service Record
Flt/Sgt
DFM
Post War Career
Bernard enlisted for the RAFVR and trained in Canada. He trained as a navigator Operations Officer. He joined RAF Squadron 159 and was based in Far East/Burma and India where he flew Consolidated B24 Liberator bombers from 1944 to 1945.
He was discharged from the Armed Forces in 1945.
Bernard was awarded the DFM in 1944. Flying on a bombing raid over Bangkok in a R.A.F Liberator Bomber, the plane was hit by anti-aircraft fire. The automatic pilot jammed, the navigator's compartment was smashed and the navigator was seriously wounded. The pilot, Flt. Lieut. Clarke pulled safely out of a dive. Bernard (the bomb aimer) fought unsuccessfully to save the navigator's life. Using only a chart and ruler as those were the only navigation tools left, he then guided the pilot over1,000 miles back to base. They landed within a minute and a half of their estimated time after a 13 hour mission.
(Mentioned in the book B-24 Bridge Busters: RAF Liberators Over Burma by Colin Pateman)
He emigrated to Canada 1948 and married Michelle in 1951. They have 3 children Antony, Christine and Jacqueline. He worked in the cement industry for many years before retiring. Bernard continues (2019) to live in Vancouver B.C. (South Surrey, B.C.)
Burial Information
Additional Information
Other Pictures
Bernard
Training in Canada
With John Catchpole (Old Ipswichian) in Vancouver after the War
Bernard at 80.