Happy 25th Birthday Charley Bailey

It's the anniversary of my Uncle Charlie Bailey's Birthday. 
He'd have been 25 today 100 years ago. 

Charley was born in Portage La Prairie, Manitoba to Jennie Howie and Charles Bailey Sr. on December 29th, 1892
He was the first and only child born to Jennie and Charles.
The young family has set up house in High Bluff, Manitoba. 

 

Sadly, before Charley was even a month old, his dad (who was just 30 years old) was killed in an accident while chopping wood in 30 below weather just outside of High Bluff.

A Winnipeg Free Press newspaper article from January 26th 1893 mentions the death of Charley's father. 

It's titled "Portage Paragraphs" with the catchy byline; "Snow-show Tramp and Entertainment, Wedding Bells, Sudden Death" "The unexpected death of Mr Charles Bailey, of High Bluff, on Tuesday is regretted by his many friends here and sorrowing friends have the sympathy of the townspeople."

It might have been a blue day for Charley in 1917 when once again his birthday came and went without celebration or hugs from the people he loved. No doubt they missed him terribly too.

Through the portal of time Charley; Happy Birthday and much love!

Letter #69, Dec 16, 1917

December 16^th, 1917

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliff, Kent England

Dear Mother

          I received the money all right Mother and my how glad I was.  I quite realize how scarce money is just now but Mother I needed it so bad.  And this fall I shall be able to pay it back to you.  Thanks very much Mother you don’t know how many ways I tried to get it, before I wrote you as I know you and Dad haven’t got to much just now and it was only at the last minute that I had to ask you.

          I am still in the office here and working fairly hard mostly writing all day long.  Young Billy Faulkner called on me yesterday, gee but he is getting to be a big fellow he was saying that a lot of the Dauphin boys had been put out of action, he had a slight shrapnel wound but is fit again.  Young Sutherland has just gone over and one of the Hamilton boys are here.  Our Mons medal came out the other day and the ribbons to wear are red white and blue, about fifteen Canadian in England are entitled to wear it and just imagine I am one of the few.  Out of all Western Canada there are only about three get it, and I am the only one from Winnipeg.  “In France before Nov 22^nd, of 1914” Gee I am proud of that decoration and more so because I am among the very few Canadians that got it.

          How is VV getting on at her teaching.  Say Mother if you haven’t spent any money on me for Christmas I would rather you did not.  I know how tight money is getting to be and I am old enough now to realize all about Santa Claus.  I know Mother both you Dad and VV would like to buy me something for Christmas, just because it is Christmas.  But Mother I would rather you bought something for yourself.  I can get along all O.K.  That explosion at Halifax sure hit some of the boys here that had their parents and wives in it.  Just imagine being over here and not getting any word if your Mother and Dad were safe.  Lord it would drive a fellow crazy.  

After all Mother we are lucky, taking it all around we are alive and that’s a lot these days.

          I would like to go to Buxton this Christmas I know they are counting on me being there, but I can’t afford it.  Sot that’s all there is to it.  Do you remember twenty-five years ago the 29^th of this month.  Every time my birthday comes in to my mind I think of the day Annie heard a baby cry and we afterwards discovered VV.  Do you remember.  Gee I can, just as well as if it was yesterday.  Now she is a school teacher and I am a soldier.  Lord but time does fly.

          Well Mother I am going to close.  I know you wonder what I needed that money for.  Well I’ll tell you someday but for now you trust me.  It’s for nothing wrong.  Tell Dad I am feeling fairly fit and may not have to go to France for a little while yet.  Tell the kid I will drop her a line soon but for the last month I have been working night and day in this office.

Bye bye

Love Chas

 

(The back of the first page ~ likely figuring done by his mom after the letter was delivered and read ~ same for the sums on the back of the envelope)

Letter #68, November 27, 1917 "Your brother is one of the 86 Canadians that is entitled to the Mons Medal."

Nov 27^th, 1917 (postmark)

Ristow Barracks

Shorncliff, Kent England

Dear Sister,

          Say old girl this is the third letter and no reply yet.  Think I have nothing to do only write letter s and receive no reply.  You want to buck up or I am going to start answering my own letters. 

          Well I have some fine news for you this time.  Your brother is one of the 86 Canadians that is entitled to the Mons Medal.  All men that were in France before November the twenty second get a big bronze star to war on their left breast of their uniform.  We were the only Canadian unit in France in November therefore the only ones in the Canadian Army that get the decoration and there are only about twenty of us left.  It is the scarcest decoration in the Canadian Army and the majority of people can’t believe that any Canadians are entitled to it but about twenty of us get the decoration.  “Mons Medal of 1914” 

          VV I am prouder of that than any thing I have ever had.  I am the only one from Winnipeg and one of twenty or so out of Canada.  Ha Ha conscripts, talk to an old war veteran like me with the Mons Decoration, I guess not.

          Things are as usual here I am still working in the office.  I am feeling fine and dandy so what more can one expect.  Christmas will be here soon but I am not going anywhere.  The movies will have to satisfy me that day but still I can’t complain.  I think I have had my share of leave this summer.  Do you like chasing kids any better.  I do hope you get a school in the city.  If you are home it will be better for you and far nicer for both Mother and Dad.

          The winter has set in here for ----, it’s raining nearly every day and cold miserable winds, we are billeted in very decent huts so we’re are not so bad.  Two years ago today I was in mid ocean on my way to dear old Canada, but I guess I am here for duration this time.  Unless I go back to France and get a --- one.  But the thing is would I get a --- one You see the square heads are not at all fussy as to how they handle a fellow.  And to say the least they are very, very rude in their actions.

          Well Dear Sister I have no news only about this medal business.  Tell Mother she is the only mother in Winnipeg with a boy entitled to the mons decoration of 1914.  Well VV remember me to Dad and Mother and write me soon.  Just see if you can squeeze one in some time before spring.  Say if you want to spend some of that kid chasing money, just send me along a few smokes.

Love Chas

About the 1914 Star (Mons Medal) from Veterans Affairs Canada 

• There were 160 awarded to 2nd Canadian Stationary Hospital members who served with the British Expeditionary Force beginning 6 November 1914.