John “Skip” Bailey

15.3
Burial of Skip and his Crew

On 18th July 1950, Skip Bailey and those found in adjacent mass graves were laid to rest with full military honours in the Bita Paka Rabaul War Cemetery.

Bita Paka Commonwealth War Cemetery [52]

The Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) maintains, in perpetuity, the graves of those servicemen and women who died serving their country. Skip’s burial was recorded by the Commission as being in Plot H Row C Grave 7.

Skip Plot at Pita Bika Cemetery [53]

The inscription on his gravestone was also recorded by the Commission. Marjorie would have advised the Commission of what she wanted as the inscription on Skip’s gravestone.

Inscription on Skip’s Grave[54]

Skip’s Next-of-kin details [55]

The CWGC installed a plaque over the burial plot of Skip. His grave was visited by his daughter Jacquline Scotney (nee Bailey), her husband Winston Scotney and their two sons John and Nick, and Emma (John’s wife) on 14th January 2013.

Plaque on Skip’s Grave

Winston, John, Jacqueline, Nick and Emma

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[52] - [55] Commonwealth War Graves Commission