Joseph Bailey
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Joseph was the son of William and Elizabeth Bailey (née Stoneystreet). His father William was born in Nottingham in about 1869. His mother Elizabeth was born in Burton on Trent, Staffordshire, in 1872 (bap. May 1872), the daughter of Thomas and Louisa Alice Stoneystreet. William and Elizabeth were married at Nottingham Holy Trinity on 25 December 1890 and had had ten children by 1911, only six of whom had survived infancy. All the children were born in Nottingham: William Thomas b. 1892 bap. Nottingham St Andrew 1892, Florence b. 1893 d. 1893, Joseph b. 1894 d. 1895, Joseph b. 14 July 1896, Gertrude b. 1897 d. 1898, Elizabeth b. 1898 d. 1899, Francis b. 1900, Thomas b. 1902, Cyril b. 1904 and Elizabeth Ann (Hannah) b. 1905. The couple probably had two more children, Amos in 1911 (d. 1911) and Louisa in 1916 (birth registrations Bailey, mother's maiden name Stoneystreet). William and Elizabeth were living on Huntingdon Street, Nottingham, when their first child William was baptised in 1892. However, by 1901 William, a core maker (iron foundry) and his wife were living at 1 Bobbers Mill with their three surviving children William, Joseph (5) and Francis. Also in the household was a lodger, William Shipstone, who was employed as a night watchman by Nottingham Corporation. The family had moved to 33 Fisher Street, Hyson Green, by 1911. Only five of their six surviving children were in the home on the night of the census: Joseph who was working in an iron foundry, Francis, Thomas, Cyril and Hannah (sic). Also in the household was a lodger, Joseph Truman who was a lace dresser. William and Elizabeth had another son, Amos, later that year who died soon after birth and a daughter Louisa five years later in 1916. William and Elizabeth were living at 30 Randall Street, Hyson Green, when Joseph was killed in 1916 and this was also the address given on the later CWGC record. The 1921 Census (full transcript not sighted) recorded William and Elizabeth living with Louisa and 'three others', probably three of their older children.
Royal Navy Joseph joined the Royal Navy as a Stoker 2nd Class on 25 January 1915 on a 12 year Short Service Engagement (5 years RN, 7 years Royal Fleet Reserve). He served in the following ships and shore establishments: Vivid II, 25 January-15 April 1915 (Stoker II Class); HMS Lion, 16 April 1915-25 August 1915; (5 days cells); HMS Lion 31 August 1915-9 January 1916; (3 days cells); HMS Lion 13 January 1916-31 January 1916; (28 days detention - ‘gambling & searching a man’s pocket’); Vivid II, 24 February 1916-7 March 1916; HMS Indefatigable, 8 March 1916-31 March 1916. His service record was annotated: ‘NP 3977/1916. DD [Discharged Dead] 31st May 1916. Killed in action.’ Joseph served in HMS Indefatigable at the Battle of Jutland and was killed with all but two of the ship's company when the ship exploded and sank after being hit by enemy shells. His body was not recovered for burial and he is commemorated on the Plymouth Naval Memorial. HMS Indefatigable was a battle cruiser sunk at Jutland on May 31st 1916 during the ‘Run to the South’ as Admiral Beatty changed course to steer east south east. Around 16.00hrs Indefatigable was hit around the rear turret by two or three shells from Von der Tann. She fell out of formation to starboard and started sinking towards the stern and listing to port. Her magazines exploded at 4:03 after more hits, one on the forecastle and another on the forward turret. Smoke and flames gushed from the forward part of the ship and large pieces were thrown 200 feet (61.0 m) into the air. The most likely cause of her loss was a deflagration or low-order explosion in 'X' magazine that blew out her bottom and severed the steering control shafts, followed by the explosion of her forward magazines from the second volley. Von der Tann fired only fifty-two 28 cm (11 in) shells at Indefatigable before she exploded. Of her crew of 1,019, only two survived. While still in the water, two survivors found Indefatigable's captain, C. F. Sowerby, who was badly wounded and died before they could be rescued. The two survivors, Able Seaman Elliott and Leading Signalman Falmer, were rescued by the German torpedo boat S16. (Wikipedia)
CWGC Additional information: 'CWGC Son of William and Elizabeth Bailey, of 30, Randle (sic) St., Hyson Green, Nottingham.' Nottingham Evening Post, 10 June 1916: ‘Portraits of local men lost in the great Naval battle off Jutland … Joseph Bailey (Indefatigable), 30 Randal Street.’
