Doctor wed just before heading off to war

HOBART doctor Guy Bailey was single when he signed up for war service in March 1915 but he married the daughter of a knight several weeks later.

Captain Bailey, who had recently been working at the Zeehan Hospital, married Ida Douglas at All Saints Church in South Hobart on April 3 and left for Egypt on May 25.

Ida was a daughter of Lady (Ida) Douglas and the late Sir Adye Douglas, former premier of Tasmania. Guy was born in Western Australia in 1888 and educated in Hobart at the Hutchins School. He had also worked at the Hobart General Hospital and was a popular cricketer and footballer.

A newspaper report of the wedding described the bride’s pretty white gown and noted that the groom was in uniform.

Guy travelled with 7th Field Ambulance to Gallipoli but was returned home after suffering a severe case of enteric fever. Despite the need for rest, he acted as the ship’s doctor for the voyage and once back in Tasmania conducted medical examinations on new recruits.

In March 1916 he was posted to France with the 13th Field Ambulance, later serving as medical officer for the 52nd Battalion. In November 1916 he was Mentioned in Despatches for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty in the field. Guy was killed in action on March 27, 1917, when the battalion was going into action near Lagincourt. He was buried near where he fell, about 500m beyond the village of Vaulx. He was survived by Ida and their young daughter Adye.

Captain Dr Guy Brooke Bailey is remembered at tree number 206 on the Soldiers’ Memorial Avenue in Hobart as well as at Hutchins School, St David’s Cathedral and St John’s Church, New Town.