| Charles Bailey was born on 5 December, 1862. I have yet to identify the names of his parents or his exact place of birth. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the 3rd Battalion, the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 26 January, 1881 Lieutenant, the Royal Scots Fusiliers - 12 November, 1884 Seconded to the Indian Staff Corps - 5 August 1886 Captain - 13 November, 1896 Major - 12 November, 1903 Brigade-Major, 16th Bengal Cavalry - 1 June, 1904 Lieutenant-Colonel, 1st Duke of York's Own Lancers (Skinners Horse) - 12 November 1910 Temporary Colonel - 13 May, 1915 Colonel - 25 October, 1919 Retires - 25 October, 1919 Bailey's obituary in the No. 37, March 1935 issue of The Kipling Journal gives some details of his years in service. He served in the Burma War (1885-87) first with the Royal Scots Fusiliers before transferring to the 26th Punjabis. He was adjutant of the 16th Bengal Cavalry from 1892 to 1896 and was appointed Inspecting Officer of Imperial Service Cavalry. During the Anglo-Boer War he war attached to Kitchener's Horse and earned the "Cape Colony', "Paareberg" and "Driefontein" clasps to his Queen's South Africa Medal. He also saw action at Polar Grove and Karee Siding. Returning to India and after spending several years on the staff on the Northwest Frontier he assumed command of the celebrated 1st Duke of York's Own Lancers - Skinner's Horse in 1912. With the outbreak of World War I he served as Base Commandant during operations in East Africa and later at Basra on the Tigris. He was invalided back to India in 1917 and after recovering served in several more staff appointment along the Northwest Frontier until being invalided once again. During the war he received several Mentions in Despatches and was promoted Colonel for his war services. After his retirement in 1919 Bailey returned to England and served as secretary in The Kipling Society. Interestingly Bailey died in London on 18 January, 1936 just 10 days before the namesake of the society for which he was secretary - Rudyard Kipling. Carte de Visite C. Lickfold - Photographer India c. 1880's |
