Sidney Bailey facts for kids

Admiral Sir Sidney Robert Bailey was a brave and important officer in the Royal Navy. He was born on August 27, 1882, and passed away on March 27, 1942. He served his country for many years, even becoming the President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich for a time.

Becoming a Naval Officer

Sidney Bailey started his journey in the Royal Navy when he was just 14 years old. In September 1896, he joined the training ship called HMS Britannia as a cadet. This was the first step to becoming a naval officer.

Early Adventures and Promotions

As a young midshipman, Bailey faced his first big challenge. In 1900, he was part of an important mission during the Boxer Rebellion in China. This mission was called the Seymour Expedition, and its goal was to help people in Peking (now Beijing). He was recognized for his bravery during this time.

He continued to rise through the ranks. He became an acting sub-lieutenant in 1901 and a full lieutenant in 1903. He also trained to become a gunnery lieutenant, which meant he was an expert in using naval guns. He served on several ships, including HMS Africa and HMS Leviathan. In June 1914, he was promoted to commander.

Serving in World War I

When the First World War began, Commander Bailey played a key role. He was the gunnery officer on HMS Erin. This meant he was in charge of the ship's powerful guns.

Later, he joined the staff of Vice Admiral David Beatty, a very famous naval leader. Bailey was known as one of the best gunnery officers in the Navy. In November 1916, he became Flag Commander to Admiral Beatty, serving on the main ships of the Grand Fleet, like HMS Iron Duke and HMS Queen Elizabeth.

After the war, in December 1918, he was promoted to captain. He also received a special award called the Distinguished Service Order in 1919 for his excellent service.

Between the Wars

After World War I, Captain Bailey continued his important work. In 1921, he became a naval attaché in Washington, D.C., which meant he represented the British Navy in the United States.

He returned to sea in 1923, taking command of the 9th Destroyer Flotilla. Later, he commanded the large warship HMS Renown.

In 1931, he was promoted to rear admiral. He served as Chief of Staff for the Mediterranean Fleet. In 1933, he became the Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, helping to lead the Navy. From 1934, he commanded the Battlecruiser Squadron, with his flag flying on the famous ship HMS Hood.

A Collision at Sea

In 1935, during training exercises, HMS Hood and HMS Renown accidentally crashed into each other. Rear Admiral Bailey and the captains of both ships had to go to a special naval court, called a court-martial.

After the court proceedings, Bailey and the captain of the Hood were found not guilty. However, the Navy later reviewed the decision and decided that Bailey was not entirely free of blame for the incident. Despite this, he continued his service.

In 1937, he was appointed President of the Royal Naval College, Greenwich, a very important role in naval education. In 1938, he was honored with the title Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. He retired from active service in 1939 as an Admiral.

World War II Service

Even after retiring, Admiral Bailey was called back to duty when the Second World War began. In 1940, he led a secret committee, known as the Bailey Committee. This group worked on how much naval help the United States could give to Britain during the war.

Admiral Bailey and his committee worked closely with American Admiral Robert L. Ghormley. They developed important ways to share information about intelligence, technology, and naval operations between the two countries. This cooperation was very important for the war effort.

Personal Life

In 1922, Sidney Bailey married Mildred Bromwell. They had a daughter and a son. Admiral Bailey passed away on March 27, 1942, after a short illness. He is remembered as a dedicated and brave naval officer who served his country through major conflicts.