Private Leonard T Bailey

Leonard Trevor ‘Bill’ Bailey was born on the 6 October 1921.

He originally enlisted on the 10 April 1941, joining the Royal Army Service Corps, but carrying out his training with The Welch Regiment. [1]

He did parachute course 21 or 22 at RAF. Ringway, in August 1942.

He was initially posted to Headquarter Company to act as Clerk to Major. Ashford, but later moved with the OC. to 2nd Parachute Battalion, ‘A’ Company. He served in North Africa, Sicily and Italy, November 1942 to December 1943.

Back in England he was posted to 2 Platoon under the command of Lieut. Jack Grayburn.

This was the list of names he gave for his Section at Arnhem, where all but the Section Sergeant (who was injured on the drop zone), fought at Arnhem Bridge.

No 2 Platoon, 2 Section.

Sgt. Lyoness.

Cpl. Priestley.

Pte. R. Holt.

Pte. Vardy.

Pte. Jonas.

Pte. Currie.

Pte. Tate.

Pte. Jones.

Pte. Bailey.

Pte. Hutchinson.

He was taken prisoner and initially sent to Stalag 12A, at Limburg in Germany and given the POW number 90363. Later on he was sent to Stalag 11B at Falingbostel.

After return from POW Camp, he transferred to the RASC. on the 19 July 1945. [1]

He died in September 2007.

NOTES:

[1] The Parachute Regiment, Transfer & Enlistment Book 02, page 8.