Lot Essay
INDENTMentioned in Despatches, London Gazette 13.4.1954.
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services whilst Prisoners of War in Korea" (Corporal Bailey and eight men from the Gloucestershire Regiment are listed)
Corporal Charles Andrew Bailey served with the Devons in Malaya, Egypt and France during the Second World War; recalled as a Regular Reservist for service in Korea and took part in the Battle of Imjin River with the Anti Tank platoon, 1st. Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Corporal Bailey was taken prisoner by the Chinese and interned in Chongsong Camp, Korea.
The Unco-operative Prisoner
During his internment, Bailey, a watch-maker by trade, fashioned a clock from meat tins and six inch nails and assisted "would be" escapers by making compasses. He later planned an escape with Corporal R.F. Matthews (who later received the B.E.M. for his gallantry in captivity), advising they go north, away from the British lines, when breaking out of the camp. Bailey supplied two pounds of sugar and dry rice, a large piece of rice crust, a spare water bottle, twenty matches and a compass made from a watch for the escape attempt which was planned for 3rd. October, 1951. Both men were caught after two days and placed in the civilian jail "to have peace and quiet to reflect upon their mistakes". Bailey was beaten up by the Chinese Guard and retaliated by trying to strangle his aggressor but received more beatings as a result. He had two linen handkerchiefs with Colonel Carne's name on which the Chinese believed indicated an escaping code and was again beaten up and placed in a special cell. On his release he was sentenced to 18 days hard labour but, despite suffering from frostbite, was forced to complete the sentence. At the time of their "release" from hard labour, 1st. December, 1951, Bailey and Matthews held the record for the longest escape "break" from the P.O.W. camp but both men subsequently ended up at Son-Yi, the penal establishment for recalcitrant and unco-operative Prisoners-of-War (No Rice for Rebels, The Story of Lance Corporal R.F. Matthews, B.E.M., by Francis S. Jones, sold with the group refers)
"In recognition of gallant and distinguished services whilst Prisoners of War in Korea" (Corporal Bailey and eight men from the Gloucestershire Regiment are listed)
Corporal Charles Andrew Bailey served with the Devons in Malaya, Egypt and France during the Second World War; recalled as a Regular Reservist for service in Korea and took part in the Battle of Imjin River with the Anti Tank platoon, 1st. Battalion, Gloucestershire Regiment. Corporal Bailey was taken prisoner by the Chinese and interned in Chongsong Camp, Korea.
The Unco-operative Prisoner
During his internment, Bailey, a watch-maker by trade, fashioned a clock from meat tins and six inch nails and assisted "would be" escapers by making compasses. He later planned an escape with Corporal R.F. Matthews (who later received the B.E.M. for his gallantry in captivity), advising they go north, away from the British lines, when breaking out of the camp. Bailey supplied two pounds of sugar and dry rice, a large piece of rice crust, a spare water bottle, twenty matches and a compass made from a watch for the escape attempt which was planned for 3rd. October, 1951. Both men were caught after two days and placed in the civilian jail "to have peace and quiet to reflect upon their mistakes". Bailey was beaten up by the Chinese Guard and retaliated by trying to strangle his aggressor but received more beatings as a result. He had two linen handkerchiefs with Colonel Carne's name on which the Chinese believed indicated an escaping code and was again beaten up and placed in a special cell. On his release he was sentenced to 18 days hard labour but, despite suffering from frostbite, was forced to complete the sentence. At the time of their "release" from hard labour, 1st. December, 1951, Bailey and Matthews held the record for the longest escape "break" from the P.O.W. camp but both men subsequently ended up at Son-Yi, the penal establishment for recalcitrant and unco-operative Prisoners-of-War (No Rice for Rebels, The Story of Lance Corporal R.F. Matthews, B.E.M., by Francis S. Jones, sold with the group refers)