George Robert Baylis was born on 26 June 1873 in Newington, Lambeth, one of the eight children of George Alfred Baylis (1844-1904) and Sophia Louisa Baylis née Yabsley (1841-1915). His birth was registered in the 3rd quarter of 1873 in the St Saviour registration district, Southwark, Surrey (now Greater London). He was baptised on 3 August 1873 at St Mary's Church, Newington, where the baptismal register shows the family living at 48 Holy Oak Road, Newington (now known as Holyoak Road, London, SE11) and that his father was a blind maker.
The 1881 census shows him living at 54 Sturgeon Road, Newington, with his parents, his younger sister Jane Elizabeth Baylis (1880-1968) and his maternal aunt Priscilla Agnes Yabsley (1849-1918). His father's occupation was recorded as a carpenter. In the 1891 he is shown as a general labourer living at 1 Longcroft Road, Camberwell, with his parents, sister and maternal aunt.
In 10 October 1891 he enlisted at Fort Rowner, Gosport, Hampshire, as a Gunner for twelve years (7 years with the colours & 5 years in the reserves) in the Royal Garrison Artillery, service number 86812 and was discharged on 7 October 1897. He was recalled to the colours on 13 January 1900 and was posted to South Africa from 3 February 1900 to 23 April 1901. He was awarded the Queen's South Africa Medal (1899-1902). He was finally discharged on 6 October 1903.
On 28 November 1903 he married Jane Ann Davies (b.1874) at St Mary's Church, Bexley, Kent, (now Greater London), where the marriage register shows him as aged 30 years, a bachelor and a labourer, his father being described as an insurance agent. His wife was shown as aged 28 years, a spinster and servant, her late father, Thomas Davies, having been a tailor. They were both shown as residing in Bexley, Kent
Postal Service Appointment Books show that he became an assistant postman at the Western District Office in March 1905 and that he was promoted to the grade of Postman 1 in June 1905 remaining at the Western District Office.
In the 1911 census he is shown as a G.P.O. postman residing in two rooms at 10 Bowles Road, Old Kent Road, London SE, with his wife.
On 1 June 1915, at the age of 41 years and 11 months, he enlisted as a Pioneer in the Royal Engineers, Postal Section, service number 35621. He entered France on 17 July 1915 but went into hospital on 9 December 1915 and was discharged from the army on 27 December 1915. He had suffered from pleurisy and pneumonia. He was re-mustered as a Sapper in the regiment on 15 June 1916. He was again admitted to hospital on 20 December 1916 and returned home two days later. He was discharged as no longer fit for service, suffering from asthma, on 8 January 1917 and was awarded a Silver War Badge.
He died, aged 45 years, on 14 July 1918 and was buried on 20 July 1918 in Southwark. Probate records show that his address had been 31 Hichisson Road, Peckham when he died. Administration of his estate was granted to his widow on 29 July 1918 and his effects totalled £124. He was posthumously awarded the 1914-1915 Star, the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as Baylis, G. R. on the Western Postal District war memorial in Mount Pleasant, London, EC1 and he is also commemorated on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
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