Mr J Bailey of 19, Washbrook-road, Rushden has received official intimation that his son Private Walter Bailey of the 5th Northamptons died of wounds on August 5th 1915. On Thursday the 5th of August, Private Allen, of his platoon, wrote as follows- "I sincerely regret to inform you that your son Walter was wounded early this morning by a bullet and died later. Everything possible was done for him to alleviate the pain, and he was taken straight to hospital, where he was operated upon directly, with no avail. He was wounded in the stomach. We all feel very much his loss, and it has come as quite a shock to all in our platoon, as well as others who knew him. Kindly accept our deepest sympathy, as he was well liked by all. He died for his Country. May his country acknowledge the debt”.

On the 8th another friend of his wrote

"He was buried quite decently in a graveyard for English soldiers, and was followed by an officer, sergeant and twelve men, including Jack Allen, Walter Parker, T. Cook and myself, a short service was read by the officer, and a wooden cross has been erected and on it is inscribed: In memory of Private W. Bailey, 5th Northants Regiment: died of wounds August 5th R.I.P. mourned by his comrades: Walt was a favourite with everybody;" Second-Lieut. C. Somerset Cowper, the deceased soldiers platoon commander wrote Mrs Bailey a very thoughtful letter, from which we print the following extract, "I was deeply moved to hear that your son, Private Walter Bailey, was wounded and died of his wounds. He was laid to rest in the military cemetery at Armentieres, I am informed that your son was wounded by a stray bullet while building the front of the trench with sandbags - a work which is absolutely necessary to the safety of our army. Thus by his self-sacrifice he has helped to save the lives of hundreds of his comrades. I could not have lost a better soldier I always found him keen, willing, and in his work, and always cheerful in the most trying of circumstances. He was most popular among his comrades, I may add that our regiment has been many times complimented on the efficient manner in which they carry out their pioneer work, and but for men like your son we never could have earned the good name, will you please accept my heartfelt sympathy in your sad bereavement." The secretary of the Wellingborough-road Mission, Mr E. M. Bandy, wrote offering sympathy to the parents "The teachers of the Sunday School" he wrote "learn with deep regret the sad fate of Walter, who we all remember with the deepest respect. So far the school has lost about seven of the old boys through the war, but Walter was more closely attached than any of the others. As you are aware he went right through the school and into the Senior Class, receiving his Bible in May, 1911".

BAILEY – In loving memory of Private W. Bailey, the beloved son of J. and A. Bailey, 19, Washbrook-road, Rushden, who was killed in action on August 5^th, 1915.