Bailey had joined the Postmaster-General's Department at the age of 16. He joined the police on 16 March 1927, initially based at
Sydney's No.4 Station. He later transferred to the station at The Rock, a small township about 20 miles from
Wagga Wagga on 17 September 1928. In May 1929 he transferred to
Gundagai, and then from May 1932 to April 1939 served successively at
Narrandera,
Deniliquin and
Balranald. He was promoted to constable first class on 23 April 1938. On 20 April 1939 he moved to
Moruya, where he was highly commended for his part in the rescue of survivors from the fishing trawler,
Dureenbee, which had been attacked by a Japanese
submarine on 3 August 1942. In 1945 he was transferred, for the final time, to Blayney, just eight days before his death. == Personal life ==