Councillor George Reginald Bailey Mayor of Bedford 1963 - 1965
The Man George Reginald Bailey was born on Sunday 1st October 1899, Paddington, London. Son of Charles, a Carman and Louisa Emily nee Martin. He was one of 10 children, 2 of whom sadly died shortly after birth. Charles Thomas James born in 1888, Alfred Henry 1891, Albert William 1893, Maud Violet 1897, Jessie Evelyn 1903, Frederick Ernest 1906 and Winifred Emily 1910. George was Baptised on 3rd December 1899 and lived with his family at 13 Desborough Street. By 1911 the family had moved to 36 Third Avenue, Queen’s Park and George was at school, his Father was now a Porter for a Licensed Victuallers and they employed an Emma Jane Brown as a ‘Mother’s Help’. It is unclear what service George saw during World War I, but during the second quarter of 1920 aged 20, he married Lois Goodchild in Chorlton-cum-Hard, Manchester and they had one daughter Dorothy Francis born in 1921. By 1938 the family had moved and were living at 9 Barker’s Lane in Bedford and George was a Travelling Inspector for Ordinary Branch Insurance Company. Tragically Lois died aged just 40 during the fist quarter of 1940, and George re-married a year later in Bucklow, Cheshire to Kathleen F Laidlaw and they lived in Bedford at 14b Lansdowne Road.
George was elected onto Bedford Borough Council and during the two municipal years of May 1963 - 65 aged 64 was appointed as Mayor of Bedford. George died a year after his term of office as Mayor, on 6th February 1966 at the Royal Free Hospital, St. Pancras in London aged 66. He had appointed Kathleen’s sister and her husband Eric and Dorothy Peet as executors. He left £2228.00.
George was elected onto Bedford Borough Council and during the two municipal years of May 1963 - 65 aged 64 was appointed as Mayor of Bedford. George died a year after his term of office as Mayor, on 6th February 1966 at the Royal Free Hospital, St. Pancras in London aged 66. He had appointed Kathleen’s sister and her husband Eric and Dorothy Peet as executors. He left £2228.00.
Past Mayor of Bedford's Jewel
The Story The Past Mayor’s Jewel awarded to George Reginald Bailey was acquired from E-Bay in Bay 2019 and of interest because of the possibility of researching past Mayors. Initial research proved positive as Bedford Borough Council had a portrait photograph of George as Mayor on their website. Ancestry.UK though proved a little more difficult, due to the early death of George’s first wife, divorce and remarriage of his daughter and also his second wife’s sister! This was compounded by an incorrect date of birth being added to the 1939 census. Frustratingly it was not possible to confirm any World War I service for George as there were a number of people with the same name. However, after several hours of checking and cross referencing, it was possible to piece together a biography of George that is correct beyond reasonable doubt!
Jewel Details:
- Jewel: G.R .BAILEY MAYOR OF BEDFORD 1963 AND 1964
This page last updated 9May 20