Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Eight: Corporal C. A. Bailey, Gloucestershire Regiment, who was taken Prisoner of War at the Battle of Imjin River, 25 April 1951: an uncooperative prisoner, he was involved in making compasses for escapers and escaped himself, finally being sent to the infamous Son-Yi penal establishment, and for his gallantry as a Prisoner of War he was subsequently mentioned in despatches

1939-45 Star; Africa Star; Italy Star; France and Germany Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Korea 1950-53, 1st issue, with M.I.D. oak leaf (5618923 Cpl. C. A. Bailey. Glosters.); U.N. Korea 1950-54, unnamed as issued, mounted as worn, with card boxes of issue for the two Korean awards; together with the recipient’s riband bar and United States of America Presidential Unit Citation riband, nearly extremely fine (8) £600-£800

M.I.D. London Gazette 13 April 1954:
‘In recognition of gallant and distinguished services whilst Prisoners of War in Korea.’

Charles Andrew Bailey was born on 2 March 1919 and enlisted into the 2nd Battalion, Devonshire Regiment on 5 September 1939. Serving with the trade of Driver/Mechanic, he initially served in Malta, before being posted to North Africa in July 1943. Posted back to the UK in February 1944, he next served in France, his obituary saying he took part in the D-Day landings. He was discharged to the Reserve in June 1946. Recalled to service in September 1950, he joined the 1st Battalion Gloucestershire Regiment, and as a Corporal in the Anti Tank Platoon, he took part in the Battle of Imjin River.

The Battle of Imjin started on Sunday 22 April 1951 when wave after wave of Chinese infantry attacked the Gloster Battalion position. In the course of a three-day battle, the main thrust of the Chinese 63rd Army was directed against the Gloster’s position and it is estimated that the Chinese suffered over 7000 casualties. After 60 hours of intense hand-to-hand fighting the Battalion was gradually forced back onto Hill 235, later known as Gloster Hill. Air resupply parachutes fell into enemy hands and the attempt at rescue by an armoured column led by the 8th Hussars failed. When the ammunition state was only three rounds per man, the Commanding Officer, Colonel J. P. Carne D.S.O., gave the order- ‘Break Out. Move independently. Make your own way back to the Allied Lines’.

It was a daunting task and required great bravery and determination. Many tried and were killed in the attempt, indeed, the Glosters suffered over 600 casualties, killed, wounded and taken prisoner by the end of the battle. Of the Anti-Tank Platoon, only Captain Bartlett escaped, the rest being killed or captured, Corporal Bailey being one of the latter. During his captivity, Bailey was not a co-operative prisoner, making good his skills as a watchmaker to help in escape attempts. According his obituary to ‘Back Badge’, under the title ‘Hero who pointed escapers in the right direction’:
‘Chinese soldiers found compasses on several British soldiers recaptured after escaping from Northern Korea’s prison camp No.1. The Chinese could not discover the source of the supply until a British Private cracked and told them. As punishment Corporal Bailey was send to a “reactionary” camp. Corporal Bailey also made a clock for the camp from meat tins and six inch nails.’

Corporal Bailey himself managed to escape with Corporal Matthews, the two finally being recaptured after two days on the run. Both men were placed in a civilian prison and beaten by Chinese guards, Bailey retaliating by trying to strangle a guard, the result of which was an even heavier beating. At the time of their release from hard labour on 1 December 1951, Bailey and Matthews held the record for the longest escape ‘break’ from the P.O.W. camp. Both men then ended up at the infamous Son-Yi penal establishment for recalcitrant and uncooperative prisoners of War. Released from captivity in August 1953 and finally discharged from the Army on the 27 January 1954, Corporal Bailey was awarded a M.I.D. and Corporal Matthews the B.E.M. for the gallant service as prisoners of War.

Corporal Matthews later wrote a book on his experiences, ‘No Rice for Rebels: The Story of Lance Corporal R. F. Matthews, B.E.M.’, in which Charles Bailey is mentioned a great many times.

Sold with original newspapers cuttings relating to Bailey’s service in the Second World War and Korea, his obituary, military passes &c.; a sketch believed to be of the recipient; and various copied research.

Note: Corporal Matthews’ B.E.M. and other medals were sold in these rooms in September 2006.