113445 Corporal Linnaeus James Bailey (1877–1916), 4th Battalion, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers

Early Life and Family Background

Linnaeus James Bailey was born on 7 November 1877 at 388 Oldbury Road, Smethwick, Staffordshire, the youngest child of Duncan Bailey (b. c.1838) and Nancy Bailey, née Russell (b. c.1840). Duncan and Nancy were married on 15 August 1858 at Harborne Parish Church, Staffordshire. The couple had nine children: Mary Louise (b. c.1863), Lucy (b. c.1865), Elizabeth (b. c.1868), Nancy (b. c.1868), Adelaide F. (b. c.1869), Isabel (b. c.1871), Amphilis M. (b. c.1873), Duncan G. (b. 1875), and Linnaeus (b. 1877).

Census records document the family’s movements and occupations. In 1881, the Baileys resided at the Co‑Operative Store, 87–89 Worcester Street, Kidderminster, where both parents were employed as store managers. By 1891, they had relocated to 14 Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, with Duncan recorded as a commercial traveller and several daughters employed in domestic service, dressmaking, or teaching. In 1901, the family lived at 54 Edgbaston Road, Smethwick, where Linnaeus was employed as a cloth commercial traveller. The 1911 Census shows him still unmarried and living with his parents at 154 Poplar Avenue, Edgbaston, working as a traveller (sanitary arranger, meats).

Marriage and Domestic Life

In the first quarter of 1912, Linnaeus married May W. Jennings at Kings Norton, Worcestershire. Their only child, Duncan Jennings Bailey, was born on 9 March 1913. At the time of Linnaeus death, his wife resided at Holland Cottage, Slaney, Sutton Coldfield, Warwickshire.

Military Service

Linnaeus initially enlisted as Private 1172 in the Royal Warwickshire Regiment, within one of the Birmingham “City” Battalions. With the expansion of chemical warfare on the Western Front, the Royal Engineers established Special Gas Companies, selecting men with higher educational attainment or technical experience. Linnaeus was transferred to the 4th Battalion, Special Brigade, Royal Engineers, and promoted to Corporal, receiving the service number 113445.

He entered France on 10 October 1915.

Circumstances of Death

Corporal Bailey was killed in action on 28 June 1916 at Noyelle‑Vion, in the Arras sector. According to the War Diary (WO95/122), personnel of the Special Brigade were engaged in preparing gas cylinders for a projected release when their positions came under German artillery fire. Casualties on that date included one officer and four other ranks killed, several wounded (including gas casualties), and one man missing presumed dead.

Corporal Bailey's WWI Pension Card confirms that official notification of his death was sent to his widow on 10 July 1916. She was awarded a pension of 18 shillings per week from 3 January 1917, increased to 39 shillings and 8 pence from 1 May 1918.

Contemporary Press Notices

The Birmingham Daily Post published two notices concerning Linnaeus's death. The report of 13 July 1916 noted his employment with Messrs Doulton & Co., Birmingham, and his education at King Charles Grammar School. A further notice on 7 July 1916 recorded his residence at Holland Cottage and his age (38 years).

Burial and Commemoration

Linneaus is buried at Le Fermont Military Cemetery, Riviere, France, Plot II.A.4. His headstone bears the inscription:

“To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die.”

He is commemorated on the Royal Doulton WWI Memorial (Birmingham section), the St Augustine’s Parish Church Roll of Honour, Edgbaston, and the memorial to former pupils at King Charles Grammar School.

Medals

For his service, Corporal Bailey received:

1914–15 Star

British War Medal

Victory Medal

Sources

Ancestry (Medal Rolls; Medal Index Cards; Soldiers Died in the Great War;

Census Returns 1881–1911;

Marriage Records;

UK Mechanical Engineer Records 1847–1938)

Fold3 (WWI Pension Cards)

Commonwealth War Graves Commission