Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Medals: British War Medal, Victory Medal

George Edward Baillie was born on the 24th of January 1895 in Port Lincoln, South Australia. Growing up, Baillie had one known sibling, William Ernest Baillie. His parents were Stuart Wylie Baillie and Grace Mary Newell, with his mother listed as his next of kin. Baillie had brown hair and grey eyes, he stood at 5ft 6 and weighed 67kg. His faith was the Church of England. Prior to the war, Baillie worked as a horse shoeing smith, a profession that likely influenced his selection into the 9th Light Horse Regiment.                                

Baillie made the journey from his hometown Port Lincoln to Adelaide wanting to serve his country. He enlisted in the army on the 18th of October 1915 at the age of 20. After enlisting, Baillie was assigned as a Private. His service number was 1935. Between the 18th of October and 31st of October 1915, Baillie was located at the second Depot Battalion. After this, he began training with the Base Light Horse Regiment from the 1st of November 1915 to the 15 of January 1916.

On the 10th of February 1916, Ballie embarked on the HMAT A69 Warilda from Adelaide, South Australia to Egypt. He landed in Ferry Post East, which was a camp and stopping point for Australian troops. He assigned to the 9th Light Horse Reserve Regiment as a part of the 3rd Light Horse Brigade. On the 27th of March 1916 Baillie was admitted to the 3rd Australian General Hospital in Heliopolis, Egypt for mild Ptomaine (food poisoning from tinned salmon). He returned to duty on the 19th of April.

Ten days later, Baillie was taken on strength to the 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC) from the 9th light Horse Regiment and was appointed to a Gunner. The following month Baillie was appointed as a shoeing smith (his previous occupation). During his time in Egypt, the 3rd Light Horse Brigade became part of the ANZAC Mounted Division. In March 1916, they joined the forces defending the Suez Canal from a Turkish advance across the Sinai Desert. Although the 9th Light Horse Regiment did not participate in the actual battle at Romani, they were actively involved in the subsequent advance that followed the Turks' retreat across the desert. The 5th Australian Divisional Ammunition Column (DAC) was essential in ensuring the continuous supply of ammunition to frontline troops and artillery units during World War I. On the 18th of June 1916, Baillie embarked from Alexandria, Egypt and landed in Marseilles, France on the 25th of June 1916 to join the BEF (British Expeditionary Force).

Baillie’s documents showed that he had two leave periods during his time in France. During his last leave he contracted scabies, (a very itchy skin condition caused by tiny mites, it is very contagious and spreads quickly). On the 22nd of November 1918, he was admitted to the hospital in England and was discharged 5 days later back to the 5th Divisional Ammunition Column.

Baillie returned to Australia on the 15th of January, 1919 from the city of Exeter, England.

Before he could be officially discharged, Baillie had to go through several medical examinations such as a dental checkup and a medical report. The reasoning for these reports was to track his progress after the war. He was officially discharged from the army on the 14th of April 1919.

After being officially discharged from the army, George Edward Baillie married Gladys May Browne on the 8th of April 1891 in Port Lincoln, South Australia. The couple had three children: Ronald Baillie, Norma Jean Baillie, and Kenneth Baillie. Tragically, Kenneth passed away on the same day he was born. Baillie passed away on the 3rd of October 1977. He was buried in the North Shields Cemetery in Port Lincoln, South Australia. In total, Baillie served in the army for 3 years and 179 days.