Bailey, Eric George

Date of birth:: October 14th, 1906 (Tenterfield/New South Wales, Australia)
Date of death:: January 12th, 1945 (Blayney/New South Wales, Australia)
Buried on:: Commonwealth War Graves Rookwood Necropolis
Plot: 8 Anglican. Grave: 1959.
Nationality:: Australian

Biography

16 March 1927: Probationary Constable
23 April 1938: Constable 1st Class
1945: Sergeant 3rd Class (posthumously)

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Certificate of Merit (RHSA)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Constable 1st Class
Unit:: New South Wales Police Force, Commonwealth Police, Australian Government
Awarded on:: 1942

He was highly commended for his part in the rescue of survivors from the fishing trawler, Dureenbee, which had been attacked by a Japanese submarine on 3 August 1942.

Certificate of Merit (RSR)

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Constable 1st Class
Unit:: New South Wales Police Force, Commonwealth Police, Australian Government
Awarded on:: 1942

George Lewis Trophy

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant 3rd Class
Unit:: New South Wales Police Force, Commonwealth Police, Australian Government
Awarded on:: 1945

"For the most courageous act by a policeman."

Posthumously awarded

George Cross

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Sergeant 3rd Class
Unit:: New South Wales Police Force, Commonwealth Police, Australian Government
Awarded on:: October 29th, 1946

At about 8.30 p.m. on the 12th January 1945, sergeant Bailey, whilst on duty in Adelaide Street, Blayney, (Australia) had occasion to speak to a man whose movements were suspicious. During the questioning the man pulled a revolver from his pocket and fired a shot which struck Bailey in the stomach. Although fast succumbing to his injuries and suffering from the effects of shock and haemorrhage, Bailey continued the struggle with the offender and held him on the ground until assistance arrived. Shortly afterwards he died. The fortitude and courage manifested by this Police Officer, in spite of his mortal injuries sustained by him at the outset of the encounter, constitute bravery and devotion to duty of the highest order.

Posthumously awarded