BAILEY, John Paterson
| Service Number: | 116215 |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 30 September 1942 |
| Last Rank: | Corporal |
| Last Unit: | Not yet discovered |
| Born: | Adelaide, SA, 28 July 1924 |
| Home Town: | Jamestown, Northern Areas, South Australia |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Not yet discovered |
| Died: | 26 February 2015, aged 90 years, cause of death not yet discovered, place of death not yet discovered |
| Cemetery: | Not yet discovered |
| Memorials: | Jamestown and District WW2 Honour Roll |
World War 2 Service
| 30 Sep 1942: | Involvement Corporal, 116215 | |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Adelaide, SA | |
| 30 Sep 1942: | Enlisted Royal Australian Air Force, Corporal, 116215 | |
| 1 Aug 1945: | Discharged | |
| Date unknown: | Involvement |
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John Paterson Bailey
28 July 1924 – 26 February 2015
John Bailey, who has died aged 90, served two RSL state presidential terms – from 1991 to 1996 and from 1999 to 2004. The second was, in particular, a period of significant change for the League.
A former state secretary, John Spencer, has recalled: “That was when we were going through all the negotiations to shift from Angas Street to Torrens Parade Ground. John played a major part in the relocation of our headquarters.” The move was completed in 2003, giving the RSL a notably improved city presence.
Born into a family with farming interests in the Jamestown region, John Paterson Bailey was educated at St Peter’s College in Adelaide. On turning 18, he enlisted in the RAAF and subsequently saw service with a radar unit in New Guinea.
After the war, he set about a remarkable and extended passage of community service: chairman of the Jamestown Hospital Board and (in more recent times) of SA’s Australia Day Council, St John Ambulance district staff officer, worshipful master of a Freemasons lodge, along with membership of both the Red Cross Council and the Jamestown Primary School board.
His dedication to the RSL cause over more than 60 years, in addition to those two terms as state president, included holding office as Jamestown sub-branch secretary and membership of the RSL’s state council and state board. He was made an honorary life member of the RSL national executive.
Staff in Adelaide still recall, with affection, his regular gifts of donuts – especially the chocolate variety. In his professional life, he became chief executive of the SA Hospitals Association, serving in that capacity from 1975 to 1988.
These many pursuits were recognised with award of the OAM in 1995. John Bailey was also an enthusiastic advocate of building international rapport. Through his work with Greek and Polish ex-service communities, he was awarded the Polish Cross. In addition, he was made a chevalier in the French Légion d’Honneur for his Francophile service.
John Paterson Bailey married, in 1950, Gladys Pammenter; who survives him, with their son and ree daughters.
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