The Airmen's Stories - P/O J C L D Bailey

John Cyril Lindsay Dyson Bailey from Stockland, Devon, was born on 17th March 1920, the elder son of Air Commodore George Cyril Bailey CB DSO (1890-1972) and Phyllis Bailey (nee Stephens 1886-1926).

His father's DSO citation :

"2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) George Cyril Bailey, RFC.

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He co-operated in an infantry raid by flying over the enemy's trenches at a height of only 1,500 feet for more than an hour and a half in very adverse weather conditions. He attacked the enemy in the trenches with machine gun fire, and located sixteen active enemy batteries during the flight. He has repeatedly done fine work.

(London Gazette - 3 March 1917)"

JCLD Bailey was educated at Tonbridge School from 1933 to 1937 and went on to Corpus Christi College, Cambridge, where he read Mechanical Sciences.

He was a member of the University Air Squadron and transferred from it to the RAFVR in June 1939.

He was called up on 1st September 1939 and after completing training at Cranwell FTS (below) and 6 OTU Sutton Bridge was posted to 46 Squadron at Digby in on 20th July 1940.

On 2nd September, flying Hurricane P3067 from Stapleford, he was shot down in an engagement over the Thames Estuary.

He died at Detling Aerodrome and was buried in Maidstone Cemetery on 11th September.

He is commemorated by a plaque at Tonbridge School (below).