Corporal Thomas William Bailey (1892-1961) was born at Wickhamford, the eldest son of milkman Joseph Richard and his wife, Amy Lilian, who were living on Longdon Hill, Wickhamford in 1891. Thomas was admitted to Badsey School in April 1896 but left in October 1899 when his family moved to 4 North Road, Bengeworth. Thomas’ two younger brothers, Frederick George Bailey and Victor James Bailey, also served in the war, the latter losing his life.
Thomas enlisted in the Army Service Corps (Supply Branch) on 25th January 1915 (No 042670), when he was working as a butcher in Evesham. He was promoted to Lance Corporal on 26th August 1915 and went to France on 15th November 1915 to join the 8th Line of Communication Co. Promoted to corporal on 1st December 1916, he stayed on the Western Front until the Armistice, not returning to England until 9th January 1919. He was demobilized on 12th February 1919 and was issued with the Victory and British War medals and 1914-1915 Star.
(The A.S.C. name was changed to the Royal Army Service Corps in late 1918.)