ABLE SEAMAN J.G. BAILEY, ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE AND HAWKE BATTALION, ROYAL NAVAL DI

ABLE SEAMAN J.G. BAILEY, ROYAL NAVAL VOLUNTEER RESERVE AND HAWKE BATTALION, ROYAL NAVAL DIVISION (LATE 11TH BATTALION LONDON REGIMENT). Three: 1914-15 Star (officially impressed: LZ. 2406, J.G. BAILEY, A.B., R.N.V.R.) British War and Victory Medals (officially impressed: L.Z. 2406 J.G. BAILEY A.B. R.N.V.R.). Mounted loose style, as worn, British War Medal attractively toned, generally Extremely Fine.

Group accompanied by 4 pages of copied service papers. Joseph George Bailey was born 25/2/1897. He was the son of Frederick Bailey, a flower seller of 5 Lancing Street, Euston Road, St Pancras, London. He initially enlisted into the 11th Battalion London Regiment (Finsbury Rifles) on 28/4/1914 but deserted on 26/6/1915 and enlisted into the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve on the same day. Bailey saw service with the Royal Naval Division during the Gallipoli campaign, being posted for service with the Hawke Battalion, Royal Naval Division, on 17/12/1915. Bailey afterwards saw service with the Hawke Battalion in France, embarking aboard the Franconia for France at Mudros on 18/5/1916 and disembarking at Marseilles on 23/5/1916. He was wounded in action on 25/3/1918, and was invalided to England on 31/3/1918 with a gunshot wound to the forearm. Whilst recovering from his wounds, Bailey deserted in January 1919. After a brief period of imprisonment, he returned to duty with the Royal Naval Division and was demobilised at Crystal Palace on 18/3/1919.

The 11th Battalion London Regiment was stationed in England when Baliey deserted, not seeing overseas service till late July 1915.