James Joseph Bailey was the son of James and Margaret Bailey. James Bailie was born on 7th March 1878 in Clabby, County Fermanagh. He worked in Belfast as a gas fitter. James Bailie enlisted in Belfast. He originally enlisted as a Rifleman with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, but later transferred to the1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles. Rifleman James Bailey died of wounds received in action on 2nd October 1918. Rifleman James Bailey was posthumously awarded the Military Medal (M.M.).
Further Information
James Joseph Bailey was the son of James and Margaret Bailey. There was a James Bailey who married Margaret Wallace on 6th January 1876 in Dungannon.
James Bailie was born on 7th March 1878 in Clabby, County Fermanagh.
Estimated family: James Bailey, Margaret Bailey, David Bailey (born 9th August 1876, Clogher), James Bailey (born 7th March 1878, Pomeroy), William Bailey (born 14th January 1884, Clogher).
The spelling of the surname varies between Bailey and Bailie throughout. It seems in civilian life it was spelt Bailie but in the Army it was spelt Bailey.
The 1901 census records James J Bailie vas age 23, boarding at house 15 in Carlow Street, Woodvale Ward, Belfast. He was working as a gas fitter.
The 1911 census records James Joseph Bailie as age 33, living alone at house 9 in Lawnview Street, Woodvale, Antrim. He was still working as a gas fitter.
James Bailie enlisted in Belfast.
Rifleman Bailey arrived in France on 6th October 1915.
The prefix 14/ on his army number implies that James Bailie originally enlisted as a Rifleman with the 14th Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles, known as the Young Citizens Volunteers.
His unit was disbanded in February 1918 after suffering heavy casualties and Rifleman James Bailey was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Rifles.
Rifleman James Bailey died of wounds received in action on 2nd October 1918. He was 40 years old.
Rifleman James Bailey was posthumously awarded the Military Medal (M.M.). His name appears on page 6036 of the London Gazette Supplement 31338, dated 13th May 1919.
Rifleman James Bailey is buried in Haringhe (Bandaghem) Military Cemetery in Belgium.
Most of the information here was derived from the book, 'Fivemiletown's Fallen'. Page 68 is devoted to Rifleman James Bailey.
