King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry
Born: 11th July 1918.
Story
Ernest was the son of John William Bailey (1888-1958) and Sarah Harriet Lakin (1891-1980), and they lived at 11 Sandgate Terrace. His cousin, Eric Bailey also served in the Second World War, but was killed on 24th November 1943. Ernest was based in Iceland, as part of the “Northern Garrison.” On 29th August 1941, it was reported that Ernest had written to his father describing the potency of Icelandic beers. He also mentioned that the names and addresses of Yorkshire girls was being found written on the inside of tins of Pontefract Cakes that they were being sent out, so naturally they had started corresponding back to them! On the same day, it was also reported that his youngest brother John had married Sarah Ivy Williamson in Staffordshire.
On 6th June 1942, in Kippax whilst on leave, Ernest married Kathleen Smales (1914-1979). Her brother William Smales also served in the War. On 20th March 1942, it was reported that whilst in Norway, Ernest had to retreat from advancing Germans, so he dropped a bar of soap into the pot of soup he was preparing. Ernest brought the house key back with him, and his mother wore it as a broach. In the same article, it was reported that his brother John was also back home, after being listed as missing following the Staffordshire Colliery disaster on 1st January 1942, but he had survived the explosion. The story about the soap in the soup was picked up by Samuel Cheesbrough, and was printed 8th February 1954 (below). Ernest passed away in 2000, at the age of 82.
Kippax Roll of Honour 