Harrogate Herald - 24th October 1917

Roll of Honour

In a letter from his officer, Mr & Mrs Bailes, of 35 Eastville Terrace, Ripon Road, Harrogate, have received the sad news that their son, Corporal Tom Bailes (West Yorks), was killed in action on October 9th. He was previously gassed on December 19th, 1915. The letter says : 

"Corporal T Bailes was killed whilst going over the top. You will doubtless be relieved to hear that his death was instantaneous, being caused by a shell wound in the head. He was greatly liked and respected by all officers, NCOs and men of the company. He had been in action two days before his death at the head of his section........I hope you will be able to bear up in your great trouble, and find comfort in the thought that he gave his life for his country". Mr & Mrs Bailes have three other sons serving with the colours, and one has been discharged after being wounded in both legs.

Harrogate Herald - 28th November 1917

W H Breare letter

Private Robert Auton, of the West Yorks, eldest son of Mr H W Auton, is home on leave and came to see me. Whilst at the Front he was slightly wounded in the head in January, but is about right now. Tom Bailes, who was killed in October, was with him in his lot, also George Weatherhead, of Starbeck, who was wounded. Alf Brown's son, of Regent Avenue, is also in his company. Auton's brother is in Salonica. Had malaria, but returned to his battery. Later, Auton came in to tell me that since he was at my office his dear mother has died. He was anxious to obtain an extension of leave for the funeral, and so I have written him a letter testifying to the death of his mother as witness that this was a bona-fide case deserving of consideration.

SDGW

1/6th Battalion, Prince of Wales's Own (West Yorkshire Regiment)

242626 Cpl Thomas Bailes

Born : Leeds

Enlisted : Harrogate

Died : 10th October 1917

KIA

France and Flanders

CWGC

In Memory of

THOMAS BAILES

Corporal 242626 1st/6th Bn., West Yorkshire Regt. (Prince of Wales's Own) who died on Wednesday, 10th October 1917.

Commemorative Information

Memorial:

TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium

Grave Reference/Panel Number:

Panel 42 to 47 and 162