Charles Bailey's Medals
Charles Bailey's medals were in the custodian of the Creswick & District Historical Society (CDHS), who in 1994 loaned then to the newly created Ballarat Rangers Barracks Museum, as they had no medals at the time of the opening.
In May 2021, Museum Manager Major Neil Leckie, RFD (Ret'd), contacted the RSL after see the article on the RSL website, re George Baileys medals that were found in 2014, given to the family on ANZAC Day 2015 and donated back the RSL and are now hanging in the RSL Hall.
George Bailey is Charles Bailey's Brother.
Neil Leckie, wanted to return Charles's medals to the CDHS with the hope that they would be donated to the RSL so the the two brothers medals could be hung together.
With discussions with Neil and CDHS, the CDHS agreed to donated the medals to the RSL.
Neil Leckie has had a new frame made to house Charles's medal in the same design and by the same framer that did George's medal.
On ANZAC Day 2022, Neil Leckie along with the Creswick-Smeaton RSL President Alan Morris unveiled Charles Bailey's medal along side his brother George Bailey. They are now together after over 100 years apart.
In May 2021, Museum Manager Major Neil Leckie, RFD (Ret'd), contacted the RSL after see the article on the RSL website, re George Baileys medals that were found in 2014, given to the family on ANZAC Day 2015 and donated back the RSL and are now hanging in the RSL Hall.
George Bailey is Charles Bailey's Brother.
Neil Leckie, wanted to return Charles's medals to the CDHS with the hope that they would be donated to the RSL so the the two brothers medals could be hung together.
With discussions with Neil and CDHS, the CDHS agreed to donated the medals to the RSL.
Neil Leckie has had a new frame made to house Charles's medal in the same design and by the same framer that did George's medal.
On ANZAC Day 2022, Neil Leckie along with the Creswick-Smeaton RSL President Alan Morris unveiled Charles Bailey's medal along side his brother George Bailey. They are now together after over 100 years apart.
Creswick-Smeaton RSL Secretary Phil Greenbank introduced Ballarat Ranger Military Museum Manger, Neil Leckie RSD (Ret'd). Neil then gave an outline of Charles's medals.
Charles BAILEY Enlisted on 29th December 1914 in the 2nd Reinforcements, 8th Battalion, AIF, with the rank of Private, Number 1464. In Egypt, on 24th February 1916, he transferred to the 60th Battalion as Number 1311. Charles returned to Australia on 8 April 1917 with the rank of Corporal. He was discharged on 16 July 1917 as Medically Unfit. Charles and George Bailey were brothers to Fred Bailey who lived in Napier Street Creswick. George’s medals were dug up in the garden of Fred’s house by the then owner Mr Neville Holmes in 2014. The medals were given to the nearest living relative Mr Jim Crone of St Arnaud who, on ANZAC Day 2015, donated them to The Creswick-Smeaton RSL. Charles Bailey’s medals had been on loan to the Ballarat Ranger Military Museum since 1989. In 2021, with the museum now having a good collection of 8th Battalion medals, it was decided that it was time for the medals to be returned to The Creswick & District Historical Society. The CDHS decided that the medals should be donated to The Creswick-Smeaton RSL and reside with George Bailey’s medals. This was to occur last year (2021), but COVID intervened and the medals were actually presented on ANZAC Day 2022. |
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Photos: Courtesy of Terry Hope Productions