Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

The mounted group of eight miniature dress medals attributed to/ representative of those worn by Wing Commander R. E. Bailey, Royal Australian Air Force

Distinguished Service Order, G.VI.R., silver-gilt and enamel, with integral top riband bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, O.B.E. (Civil) Officer’s 2nd type badge, silver-gilt; Distinguished Flying Cross, uniface; 1939-45 Star; Air Crew Europe Star; Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Coronation 1953, mounted as worn and housed in a contemporary leather case, good very fine (8) £200-£240

D.S.O. London Gazette 24 September 1943:
‘This officer has completed a large number of sorties, many of them since being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross. Wing Commander Bailey has displayed outstanding tenacity and has consistently pressed home his attacks with great vigour. He is an inspiring leader, whose great skill, boundless energy and courageous example have contributed in a large measure to the high standard of operational efficiency of the squadron he commands. Wing Commander Bailey has rendered impressive service.’

O.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 11 June 1977:
‘For public service.’

D.F.C. London Gazette 18 April 1941.

M.I.D. London Gazettes 11 June 1942 and 1 January 1943.

Reginald Edward Bailey was born in Kogarah on 15 June 1915 and joined the traffic department at QANTAS as a means of getting accelerated entry as a pilot, subsequently making a number of flights in the original flying boats between Sydney, Java, Singapore, and Calcutta. He served with both the Royal Air Force and Royal Australian Air Force during the Second World War, flying more than 60 bombing raids over German-occupied Europe, including three consecutive bombing raids on Hamburg, and for his services was awarded both the Distinguished Service Order and Distinguished Flying Cross, and was twice Mentioned in Despatches.

Relinquishing his commission with the rank of Wing Commander, Bailey returned to Australia and joined Trans Australian Airlines as a line Captain. Made manager of flight operations in 1954, he was appointed Assistant General Manager in 1971, and retired as Deputy General Manager in 1977. That same year he was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire for his public services in civil aviation. He died in 2006.