Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

William Henry Bayly was born on the 9th of July 1893 in Hindmarsh South Australia however, grew up in Norwood. He was the son of Raymond Bayly and Louisa Bayly (nee Cranstone) and was born into a Methodist family. Before enlisting in the war, Private William Henry Bayly’s occupation was a driver, he was single and was 23 years old. He had brown hair, brown eyes, had a medium coloured skin tone and he was 6 foot 3 inches. Private Bayly was a natural born Australia, meaning that he was born in Australia.  

Private William Henry Bayly enlisted in the war on the 1st of December 1916 and his service number was 3369. He embarked from Adelaide on the ship called “A48 Seang-Bee” on the 10th of February 1917 as part of the 9th division of the 48th Infantry Battalion. He then proceeded to South Hampton, England where he took part in training then left for France where he fought on the Western front.

On the 11th of August 1917, William Henry Bayly was wounded in action. On the 16th of August 1917 (five days later), from France he was shipped on the Hospital Ship “Stad Antwerpent” and was admitted to the Camberwell Hospital in London due to a contusion from being buried by a shell. After fully recovering and a little more training with his unit at Sandhill Camp Longbridge Deverville South Hampton, William Henry Bayly proceeded back to France on the 27th of December 1917.

On the 24th of February 1918, William Henry Bayly was admitted to the 1st Australian Casualty Clearing Station (AIF medical Unit on field) however, it was not yet determined what was making him sick. He was then transferred to the 2nd station. On the 25th of the same month he presented with a high temperature which then lead to Bronchitis and Tonsillitis. It was then revealed on the 22nd of February 1918 in France in the Horton Hospital, that William Henry had Pulmonary Tuberculosis.

William Henry Bayly returned to Australia on the 12th of May 1918. He was discharged from England due to his contraction of Pulmonary Tuberculosis in which he embarked on the D.8 Hospital Transport Carrier. He died at 6:40 pm on the 27th of September 1919 at Bedford Park Sanatorium from Pulmonary Tuberculosis and was 26 years old. He is buried at the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) Cemetery, West Terrace, South Australia. Of his time at war, William Henry had received a medal which was given to his mother Louisa, who was his next of kin.

ANZAC stands for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Qualities of a true ANZAC is courage, discipline, hard working, mate ship, endurance and ingenuity. William Henry Bayly showed all of these qualities, therefore, showed true ANZAC spirit. As he was injured during the first few months of fighting and after fully recovering from the injury he did more training and went straight back to war. He did not give up. Even though his time at war was cut short due to being injured and having contracted a serious illness, he still worked hard to fight for his country. This was apparent by him receiving a medal for victory