Jack Bailey

Corporal, No. 46 R.M. Commando
Service number: PO/X 103464
Died 20 Jun 1944
Buried Hermanville War Cemetery, France
Age 29

Headstone Inscription
‘TREASURED MEMORIES OF A LOVING SON DEEPLY MOURNED. GOD REST HIS DEAR SOUL’


Jack was born on 8 September 1914 in Leeds, Yorkshire to Polish father Barnett, a merchant tailor, and Leeds born Rebecca nee Harris, and he had six siblings, May, Dorothy, Arthur, Sydney, Stella and Maurice. In 1921, the family were living at 15 Brunswick Place in Leeds and the older children were working with their father in the tailoring business. Jack attended Leeds Grammar School and was captain of the rugby, cricket, swimming and gymnastics teams. He was a very keen physical culturist and was the winner of Yorkshire’s best developed man competition in 1936/1937 and in 1935 he came fourth for all England. He was also a Yorkshire heavy weight power lifting champion in 1938/1939 and captain of the Leeds health and strength club. He worked as a tailor and was engaged to Renee Green and enlisted at the outbreak of war.

Jack fought in the Battle of Normandy and died of wounds inflicted during operations at Sallenelles.

Courtesy Commando Veterans Archive