G C Bailey

Air of Authority - A History of RAF Organisation

Air Commodore G C Bailey

George Cyril b: 17 Jul 1890 r: 25 Sep 1944 d: 1 Jun 1972

CB - 8 Jun 1944, DSO - 3 Mar 1917, MiD - 15 May 1917, BSc, AMICE, OAR4 - 28 Jun 1934.

For a list of foreign decoration abbreviations, click here

(Army): - 2 Lt: 18 Mar 1916, (T) Capt: 17 Dec 1916, Lt: 1 Jul 1917,

(RAF): - Capt: 1 Apr 1918, (T) Maj: 1 Jul 1918, Act Maj: 1 May 1919, Flt Lt: 1 Aug 1919?, Sqn Ldr: 30 Jun 1923, Wg Cdr: 1 Jul 1929, Gp Capt: 1 Jul 1935, A/Cdre: 1 Jan 1939.

18 Mar 1916: Appointed to a Commission in the RFC Special Reserve

6 Apr 1916: Attended School of Military Aeronautics, Oxford

3 May 1916: U/T Pilot, No 3 Reserve Sqn RFC

31 May 1916: U/T Pilot, No 40 Sqn RFC

5 Jun 1916: U/T Pilot, No 13 Reserve Sqn RFC

4 Jul 1916: Appointed Flying Officer, RFC

8 Jun 1916: Pilot, No 2 Sqn RFC

17 Dec 1916: Flight Commander, No 2 Sqn RFC. (BE2, FK8 - Western Front)

14 Feb 1917: Wounded and admitted to hospital

29 Apr 1917: Light Duties, No 64 Reserve Sqn RFC

19 Nov 1917: Flight Commander, No 110 Sqn RFC

27 Feb 1918: Flying Instructor, No 9 Training Sqn RFC/RAF

1 Jul 1918: Graded as a Squadron Commander.

xx Aug 1918: Officer Commanding, No 121 Sqn

5 Sep 1918: Officer Commanding, No 57 Sqn.

29 Jan - 22 Apr 1919: Attended School of Instruction (Admin & Org), Halton

28 Jul 1919: Attached, No 18 Sqn

1 Aug 1919: Awarded Permanent Commission as a Captain

19 Aug 1919: Posted to Home Establishment

18 Sep 1919: Officer Commanding, No 15 Training Sqn

24 Sep 1919: Officer Commanding, No 4 Training Sqn

1 Nov 1919: Officer Commanding, No 10 Wing Works Sqn

31 Jan 1920: Officer Commanding, No 10 Wing Mobile Disposal Sqn

1 Apr 1920: Attended School of Naval Co-operation. (Qualified Air Navigation Officer)

1 Jan - 7 Feb 1921: Attached, RAF Airship Base (Airship Navigation - Night )

24 Feb 1921: Engineer and Instructor duties, Central Flying School.

3 Apr 1922: Attached to School of Photography, whilst attending Engineering Course at RAE Farnborough.

1 Oct 1922: Attended London University.

1 Oct 1923: Attended London University. (Qualified Engineer Officer)

20 Aug 1924: Engineering Officer/Instructor, Inland Area Aircraft Depot

4 May 1925: Attended RAF Staff College.

28 Apr 1926: Member, Aeronautical Committee of Guarantee (Germany)

25 Jun 1926: Supernumerary, RAF Depot pending posting overseas

23 Jul 1926: Engineering Officer, Aircraft Depot, India.

28 Feb 1928: Supernumerary, RAF Depot

15 May 1928: Staff, Directorate of Equipment.

9 Sep 1929: Assistant Director (Instruments).

16 Feb - 10 Mar 1932 Attended Twin-engine conversion course, No 7 Sqn, RAF Worthy Down

8 Mar 1932: Supernumerary, RAF Depot pending posting overseas.

18 Mar 1932: Supernumerary, No 70 Sqn. (Victoria – Hinaidi)

21 Apr 1932: Officer Commanding, No 70 Sqn. (Victoria – Hinaidi)

7 Apr 1934: Supernumerary, No 70 Sqn pending posting to Home Establishment

10 Apr 1934: Supernumerary, RAF Depot.

24 Jul 1934: Temporary Administrative duties, Air Armament School

26 Nov 1934: Temporary duties, RAF Mount Batten

10 Dec 1934: Supernumerary, RAF Depot (Leave)

7 Jan 1935: Temporary duties, Directorate of Intelligence

15 Jan 1935: Attended RN Staff College, Greenwich.

1 Jul 1935: Deputy Director of Equipment (Supply and Movement)/(Supply).

16 May 1938: Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command.

15 Mar 1939: Senior Maintenance Staff Officer, HQ Maintenance Command.

27 Nov 1939: Supernumerary, Air Ministry Unit whilst attached for temporary duty with Dept of AMSO

1 Jan 1940: Director of Repair and Servicing.

4 Mar 1942: Supernumerary, No 51 (Training) Group.

7 Mar 1942: AOC, No 51 (Training) Group.

24 Sep 1944: Last day of paid service

He was educated at King Edward VI School and Victoria University, Manchester.

On 10 January 1917, he and his observer, assisted ground troops to successfully raid German trenches., flying behind the German lines causing enemy troops to turn round, drawing their fire in the process, thereby allowing British troops to cross ‘No Mans Land’, capture eight Germans and plant numerous bombs. He was married to Phyllis Stevens at St Gabriel's Church, Warwick Square on 15 July 1918.

Citation for the award of the Distinguished Order

"2nd Lt. (temp. Capt.) George Cyril Bailey, R.F.C. (Spec. Res.).

For conspicuous gallantry in action. He co-operated in an infantry raid by flying over the enemy's trenches at a height of only 1,500 feet for more than an hour and a half in very adverse weather conditions. He attacked the enemy in! the trenches with machine gun fire, and located sixteen active enemy batteries during the flight. He has repeatedly done fine work."

(London Gazette - 3 March 1917)

This entry was last updated on 26/07/25

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