Ms Christine Mallouhi shares the story of her great uncle, David Lindsay Bailey.

David, known as Lindsay, was the eldest of Richard and Lucie’s  five girls and two boys and was born in 1897. He was a home grown Aussie, being second generation of four pioneer families of Ballarat, and nephew of  the acclaimed “Weeping Bailey of Ballarat”. He was born in Korumburra when the family was living there trying to make a go of a new venture.  They were living in Sunshine when he enlisted on 22 January, 1916 and gave his age as  “eighteen years and five months”.  He was sent to the Western Front  where died the next year from injuries sustained at Ypres, in the battle for Passchendale, just a fortnight before the Allies liberated it.  He was buried at Godewaersvelde British Cemetery, France

David Lindsay Bailey

One year later a soldier at the field hospital in France sent a parcel to his mother with a letter written in pencil on “YMCA In The Field” notepaper, dated 14 November 1918. 

“While looking amongst a wounded comrades effects, I came across this pocket book which I fancy belongs to your son who fell at Ypres. Knowing a mothers feelings in regard to same I have taken the opportunity of sending it to you, although I am afraid it is in a sad condition. Your son was in the same .. battery as myself and we all felt his loss keenly…  in offering our sincere condolences on your sad loss. Hoping you will receive same in due course, yours truly, H. Woggitt, 3rd Howitzer Battery”  

Included in the package was a brown leather wallet  that enfolds a notebook still with its original pencil. It has names and addresses including his cousin Wolf’s field address, a list of dates of ten intended letters to home of which seven were posted weekly and the final one nine days before his death, and a few notes about how to deal with wounds on a horse.

The family has treasured Lindsay’s keepsakes for almost 100 years, passing them down through the family.

The War department awarded him a medal and a heavy memorial bronze plaque in recognition of his service and sacrifice.