Obituaries Australia

As briefly announced in The Witness on Tuesday, Mrs. Diana Margaret Bailey, a resident of Young for 65 years, the bulk of which have been spent at her late home on the Wombat Road, a mile or so from Young, passed away on Monday night at the great age of 90 years. Deceased who was a wonderful old lady, a true friend and kindly neighbour, was born in India, where she was married at the age of 15 years to the late Stephen Bailey, then serving in the British Army and on his discharge after 18 years service received two medals and two meritorious badges. He predeceased his wife by 23 years, when 77 years of age. When Mr. and Mrs. Bailey came to Young, the place was undergoing the experience of the gold rush, thousands of miners being located on the field. Those were the roaring days, and Mrs. Bailey, up to a few years ago, often recounted to her friends the many stirring incidents which she witnessed in those far off times. The driving of the Chinese off the field, and the arrival of Captain Wilkie with a posse of soldiers to quell the riots were vivid recollections. After the diggings Mr. And Mrs. Bailey settled down and lived their peaceful lives together, rearing a large family of highly respected citizens — in fact, her living descendents to day total 300. Of a family of 15 there are three sons and five daughters living, viz.:— Mrs. W. Heares (Grenfell), Mrs. A. Lowe (Sydney), Mr. William Bailey (Young), Mr. Henry Bailey (Grenfell), and George, Thomas and James (Sydney). A number of her grandsons fought during the war, one of these being Mr Les. Bailey, the world’s champion motor cyclist, who did useful work for the Empire in dispatch riding. The remains were laid to rest on Wednesday afternoon in the Church of England portion of the Young cemetery, the last prayers at the graveside being said by the Rev. E. North. Messrs Patterson Bros carried out the funeral arrangements.