The Fallen Old Boys of Keighley Boys Grammar School
in the Great War 1914-1918
Picture from School Magazine The Keighlian
HERBERT HEATON BAILEY.
Private. Royal Army Medical Corps.
Herbert H. Bailey was at the School from 1907 to 1912. On leaving School, he took the profession of his father, that of textile manufacturer, and entered the firm of Messrs. Hill, Benson & Bailey, of Silsden, in which firm his father is a partner. Herbert Bailey continued his education in the Textile Department of the Technical School. His father was formerly the head-master of that Department, and at the present time is giving great assistance to the School as acting head-master during the period of the war. While there, Herbert Bailey was remarkably successful in his studies, being a most painstaking and enthusiastic worker. At the City and Guilds of London Institute Examination in Woollen and Worsted Weaving in May, 1917, he gained the First Prize and was successful in winning the Bronze Medal.
He joined the Army on June 16th, 1917, and at first was posted to the 87th Reserve Training Battalion, at Hornsea. After further training at Catterick Bridge and York, he was transferred to the R.A.M.C. and sent to Blackpool for field ambulance training. During the bad weather of the early part of last winter, he contracted a severe cold, and was in hospital suffering from influenza and a slight attack of pneumonia.
In January of the present year, he was transferred to Aylesbury for hospital training. After working for some time at the Military Hospital, he acted as orderly in the Isolation Ward of a neighbouring hospital. While there, he contracted scarlet fever, and after being removed to hospital, he had another attack of pneumonia in addition to the fever. His condition became worse, and his parents were only able to get to the hospital a short time before he passed away. He was unconscious when they arrived. He was interred at Silsden on March 7th.
Herbert Bailey was not a strong, robust young man, yet in spite of his difficult surroundings while in the Army he nobly strove to do his duty, and in doing so, laid down his life in the endeavour to give assistance to those in need of help. His parents have received many letters from his soldier friends and patients under his care, and all alike speak of his good work, and testify to his influence for good in their lives.
He was well known as a quiet, unassuming young man, and a most devoted voluntary worker in any good cause. His fine, manly character and sympathetic disposition had gained him a wide circle of friends, both at Silsden and Keighley, and their appreciation was very greatly in evidence at the funeral service.
The School is proud to record such self-sacrifice on the part of its Old Boys, and we tender our most sincere sympathy to the parents and friends in their loss.
Obituary from the Keighlian Nov. 1918
Cradled in Freedom and Schooled in Courage,
they gave themselves for the Liberty of their Country and the World.