Bailes, John Thomas | Universities at War

Personal details

Badges and Insignia - Durham Light Infantry. Image kindly provided by Durham Record Office

Name on Memorial:

Bailes, J. T.

Forename(s):

John Thomas

Surname:

Bailes

Date of Death:

Wednesday, May 9, 1917

Age at Death:

University life

College:

Armstrong College, Newcastle upon Tyne

Staff or Student:

Student

Military Service

The information displayed here is at the time of death.

Service Number:

23055

Rank:

Second Lieutenant

Service:

Army

Unit:

Durham Light Infantry, 9th Battalion

Prisoner of War:

Military Training:

Officers’ Training Corps, Armstrong College

Theatre of War:

France and Flanders

Biography

John was born in 1888 in Sunderland to Thomas Bailes, a butcher, and Alice Balies. While at Armstrong College, John studied Mathematics, Botany, English, Ancient History, French, Modern History and Italian.

Having previously enlisted as a Private in the Durham Light Infantry, 6th Battalion, John joined the 9th Battalion as an Officer Cadet, and was promoted to Second Lieutenant on the 25th October 1916. He arrived in France on the 9th January 1917. John died of his wounds on 9th May 1917 aged 29.

Addresses before and during the war

37 Hayman Street, Monkwearmouth, Sunderland (place of residence - 1891 Census)

12 Zion Terrace, Fulwell, Sunderland (place of residence - 1901 Census)

Place of Burial or Battle Site Memorial

John is buried at the Sunderland (Mere Knolls) Cemetery

Memorials

Other Memorials:

Plaque at Bede Colligate School, Sunderland

Additional images

Research information

Sources:

Commonwealth War Graves Commission

The War Graves Photographic Project

Newcastle University Archives (The University of Durham Roll of Service 1914 – 1919, Armstrong College Admissions Registers, Durham University Gazette, Vol II, 1912-1929)

North East War Memorials

London Gazette

UK Census Records (National Archives, available via Ancestry.co.uk)

WWI Service Records 1914 - 1920 (National Archives, available via Ancestry.co.uk)

Researched by:

Sophie Anderton

Holly Johnson

Benjamin Howson

Rachel Hill

Michael Briggs

Amy Shiel