Donald Bailey (civil engineer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Donald Coleman Bailey
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DC Bailey with a model of a section of Bailey bridge
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| Born | 15 September 1901 |
| Died | 5 May 1985 (aged 83) |
| Nationality | English |
| Alma mater | University of Sheffield |
| Occupation | Civil Engineer |
| Known for | Bailey bridge |
Sir Donald Coleman Bailey (born September 15, 1901 – died May 5, 1985) was an English civil engineer. He is famous for inventing the Bailey bridge. This special bridge helped a lot during World War II.
Field Marshal Montgomery, a very important army leader, once said that "without the Bailey bridge, we should not have won the war." This shows how important Bailey's invention was!
Contents
Who Was Donald Bailey?
Donald Bailey went to Rotherham Grammar School and The Leys School. Later, he studied engineering at the University of Sheffield. He earned his engineering degree in 1923.
After his studies, Bailey worked for the British government's War Office. This is where he designed his famous bridge.
The Bailey Bridge Idea
The Bailey bridge was a new type of temporary bridge. It was made from many small, easy-to-carry parts. Soldiers could quickly put these parts together to build a strong bridge. This was perfect for armies on the move.
Another engineer, A. M. Hamilton, had designed a similar bridge before. Some parts of Bailey's design were a bit like Hamilton's older bridge. However, the Bailey bridge was generally seen as much better for quick, temporary use.
A Special Honor
In 1946, Donald Bailey was made a Knight by the King. This meant he became Sir Donald Bailey. He received this special honor because of his amazing bridge design.
Sir Donald lived a quiet life in Bournemouth, England, after the war. He passed away in Bournemouth in 1985. The house where he was born in Rotherham is still standing today.
Building Bridges for War
During World War II, a factory in Christchurch, England, made parts for the Bailey bridge. These parts were then sent to training areas. Soldiers learned how to quickly assemble the bridges, even at night. They practiced building them over rivers, just like they would in a real battle.
The Bailey bridge was incredibly important for the Allied forces. It allowed tanks and troops to cross rivers and gaps quickly. This helped them keep moving forward during the war.
A General's Praise
In 1947, Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery wrote about the bridge. He said:
Bailey Bridging made an immense contribution towards ending World War II. As far as my own operations were concerned... I could never have maintained the speed and tempo of forward movement without large supplies of Bailey Bridging.
This quote shows how vital the Bailey bridge was for winning the war.
Awards and Recognition
Sir Donald Bailey received several important awards for his work:
- 1943: He was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This was for his work as a chief designer for the Ministry of Supply.
- 1946: He received a Knighthood. This was for his outstanding design of the Bailey bridge.
- 1948: He was awarded the Commander of the Order of Orange-Nassau from the Netherlands. This was for his help during the war.
Gallery
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A Bailey bridge over the Meurthe River in France.
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An Otter Light Reconnaissance Car crossing a Bailey bridge in Italy in 1943.
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A Bailey bridge over the Coppename river in Suriname.
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The Bolifa Bailey Bridge in the rainforest of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
