Richard Llewellyn Bailey

Driver Richard Llewellyn Bailey – The First of 24 Military Burials in 1919

Richard Llewellyn Bailey was born in 1887, the son of William G. Bailey and Elizabeth Harris, who were married in 1869 at St. James’ Church, Swansea.

Early Life and Census Records

1901 Census

At the time of the 1901 Census, the Bailey family was living at 24 Rhondda Street. William, then aged 50, was employed as a Shipwright, while Elizabeth, aged 49, kept the household. Their children included Edith, 22; William J., 20, a Book Binder; and Richard, 13, who was working as a Messenger Boy. Also, present was a visitor, Catherine Thomas, 49, a domestic worker.

1911 Census 

By the 1911 Census, Richard had married Sarah Elizabeth Glover the previous year. Both aged 24, they were living at 5 Winston Street, North Road, Swansea. Richard was employed as a Fuel Worker, and that year their son, Richard Llewellyn, was born.

Military Service

Royal Army Service Corps

In November 1914, soon after the outbreak of the First World War, Richard enlisted in the Royal Army Service Corps.

Declining Health and Death

After returning from leave, Richard rejoined his regiment at Redcar. He had been suffering from tuberculosis but was thought to be recovering. Tragically, he was found dead in his bed on 7^th January 1919, aged just 32.

Burial at Danygraig Cemetery

Herald of Wales

Richard Llewellyn Bailey
Danygraig Cemetery
credit - findagrave

Richard’s funeral was conducted with full military honours and took place at Danygraig Cemetery, where his death was reported in the Herald of Wales. He was the first of 24 servicemen to be buried at Danygraig in 1919, marking the beginning of a sombre chapter in the cemetery’s wartime story.

Legacy

Richard’s story is a reminder that the end of hostilities in November 1918 did not bring immediate relief to soldiers and their families. Illnesses such as tuberculosis and influenza continued to claim lives. As the first of the 24 burials of 1919, his grave stands as the opening page of a year that showed Swansea’s war losses continued long after the guns had fallen silent.