Personal info
- Name: Eric George BAILEY
- D.O.B: 14th Oct, 1906
- D.O.A: 12th Jan, 1945
- D.O.D: 12th Jan, 1945
- Award: George Cross
- Occupation at time of action: Sergeant, New South Wales Police Force, Australia
- Book: The Complete History - Volume 3
Blayney, New South Wales, Australia 12 January 1945
12 January 1945
The Second World War 1945
Blayney is 150 miles west of Sydney. In the late evening of 12 January 1945, Constable Eric Bailey was questioning a man, Cyril Newman, who had been seen acting suspiciously. During the encounter Newman drew a revolver and shot Constable Bailey several times. Despite being fatally wounded, Constable Bailey tackled his assailant and held him until help arrived. It later emerged that Newman had murdered Maurice Hannigan in Sydney. Newman stood trial for murder and was sentenced to death.
Citation
The KING has been graciously pleased to make the undermentioned awards of the GEORGE CROSS:– Eric George Bailey (deceased), Sergeant 3rd Class, New South Wales Police Force. At about 8.30 p.m. on the 12th January, 1945, Sergeant Bailey (then a Constable 1st Class), whilst on duty in Adelaide Street, Blayney, had occasion to speak to a man whose movements were suspicious. During the questioning the man pulled a revolver from his pocket and fired a shot which struck Bailey in the stomach. The Constable immediately closed with his assailant who fired two more shots. Although fast succumbing to his injuries and suffering from the effects of shock and haemorrhage, Bailey continued the struggle with the offender and held him on the ground until assistance arrived. Shortly afterwards he died. The fortitude and courage manifested by this Police Officer, in spite of the mortal injuries sustained by him at the outset of the encounter, constitute bravery and devotion to duty of the highest order.