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Robert John Bayliss

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Photo of memorial taken by G.A. Fortune (1999) - Image has All Rights Reserved

Photo of memorial taken by G.A. Fortune (1999) - Image has All Rights Reserved

All Rights Reserved AWMM

Identity

  • Title
  • Forenames
    Robert John AWMM
  • Surname
    Bayliss AWMM
  • Ingoa
  • Also known as
  • Service number
    6848 AWMM
  • Gender
    Male AWMM
  • Iwi / Hapū / Waka / Rohe
  • Religion

Civilian life

About birth

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  • Birth
    8 February 1909 AWMM HastingsHawkes Bay AWMM
  • Date of birth
  • Place of birth
  • Birth notes
  • Address before enlistment
    Unknown AWMM C/o Mrs Robinson, North Clyde, New Zealand AWMM
  • Post war occupation
  • Next of kin on embarkation
    Mrs G. Hendle (mother), Post Office, Hastings, New Zealand AWMM
  • Relationship status
    Unknown AWMM Single AWMM

Service

Wars and conflicts

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  • War
  • Campaign
    • Western Desert AWMM
    • Greece AWMM
    • 1941 Crete AWMM
  • Armed force / branch
    Army AWMM
  • Service number
    6848 AWMM
  • Military service
  • Promotions/ Postings/ Transfers

Military decorations

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  • Medals and Awards
    • Military Medal (MM) AWMM
      19 March 1942 AWMM
      'When attacked at MENASTIR, Libya, on 24 November 1941 Corporal (temporary Sergeant) Bayliss showed consistent leadership, courage and devotion to duty as acting Platoon Commander. His platoon successfully repulsed the enemy and then counter-attacked. In the face of rifle and pistol fire he personally attacked and captured a German mortar detachment of one officer and three other ranks and his coolness and courage at all times proved an inspiration to his platoon.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bayliss, Robert John. (Ref. WO 373/19/448). Military Medal. AWMM
    • 1939-1945 Star AWMM
    • Africa Star (8th Army clasp) AWMM
    • War Medal 1939-1945 AWMM
    • New Zealand War Service Medal AWMM

Training and Enlistment

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  • Military training
  • Branch Trade Proficiency
  • Enlistment
    WW2 Unknown AWMM Shepherd/Civilian AWMM
    WairoaHawkes Bay AWMM
  • Occupation before enlistment
  • Age on enlistment

Prisoner of war

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  • Capture details
  • Days interned
  • Liberation date
  • Liberation Repatriation
  • POW liberation details
  • POW serial number

Medical history

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  • Medical notes
    Killed in Action, Cause of Death AWMM

Last known rank

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Biographical information

Biographical information

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  • 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
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Death

About death

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  • Death
    25 October 1942 AWMM
    Age 33 AWMM
    Western DesertNorth Africa AWMM
  • Date of death
  • Age at death
  • Place of death
  • Cause of death
  • Death notes
  • Cemetery
    El Alamein War Cemetery, Egypt AWMM II. E. 6. AWMM
  • Cemetery name
  • Grave reference
  • Obituary
  • Memorial name
  • Memorial reference

Memorials

Memorial

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  • Memorial name
    Havelock North Cemetery, Havelock North, New Zealand AWMM

Roll of Honour

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Sources

Sources

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  • External links
    • 'The KING has been graciously pleased to approve the following awards in recognition of gallant and distinguished services in the Middle East.' (London Gazette, 19 March 1942, p.1262.). Military Medal.
      http://www.london-gazette.co.uk/issues/35492/supplements/1262
      Further Reference
    • 'When attacked at MENASTIR, Libya, on 24 November 1941 Corporal (temporary Sergeant) Bayliss showed consistent leadership, courage and devotion to duty as acting Platoon Commander. His platoon successfully repulsed the enemy and then counter-attacked. In the face of rifle and pistol fire he personally attacked and captured a German mortar detachment of one officer and three other ranks and his coolness and courage at all times proved an inspiration to his platoon.'. (Source: The National Archives. Recommendation for Award for Bayliss, Robert John. (Ref. WO 373/19/448). Military Medal.
      http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/SearchUI/Details?uri=D7358887
      Further Reference
    • Commonwealth War Graves Commission record
      https://www.cwgc.org/find-records/find-war-dead/casualty-details/2092228
      Sources Used
  • References
    • Henderson, J. (1958). 22 Battalion. Wellington, N.Z.: Department of Internal Affairs, War History Branch. AWMM
      pp.55, 109, 134, 215. AWMM
    • Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. (1941). Nominal Roll Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force No. 2 (Embarkations to 30th June, 1940). Wellington, N.Z.: Govt. Printer. AWMM
      p.15 AWMM

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