Robert Bayliss was the son of Francis and Mary H. Bayliss, of Hastings, Hawke's Bay, New Zealand.

WO II R. J. Bayliss, MM; born Hastings, 8 Feb 1909; shepherd; killed in action 26 Oct 1942. (Source: Henderson, J. 22 Battalion. p.109.)

'What looked like two companies of Germans attacked from the east. They were difficult to spot. They advanced directly in front of the sun, and did not open fire until within 1000 yards. The battalion immediately manned all defences and turned the attackers back with heavy counter-fire from all weapons, the artillery, Bofors and anti-tank guns opening fire at a range of 1500 yards over open sights. B Company, from reserve, set out after the enemy until he reached his transport beyond the ridge. The counter-attack halted, but Bob Bayliss had not had enough. With Jack Adeane and another he chased five Germans for a mile, finally forcing them to ground. Bob, with a man on each flank, went in with his tommy gun. He shot two in the last 30 yards, and then the German officer emptied his Luger at him at point-blank range and missed. Bob, who brought the officer (‘a truculent b—’) and two other captives back with him, won the MM.' (Source: Henderson, J. 22 Battalion. p. 109.) AWMM