Sergeant Lloyd Maxwell Bailey, the son of Frederick Turner Bailey and Charlotte Ann Bailey (nee Stower), was born at Pittsworth in Queensland on 25th January 1919. He was educated at the Central State School at Southbrook and he was a student at the Toowoomba Grammar School during the years 1933 until 1935. He completed the Queensland Junior examination in 1934. After leaving school he was employed as a Junior Clerk at the Queensland National Bank at Pittsworth. He applied for aircrew training in the Royal Australian Air Force on 10th December 1940. He was enrolled into the Reserve of the R.A.A.F. on 10th December 1940 after swearing an Oath/Affirmation. He was awarded Reserve Badge No. 9172. At the age of 22 years and 4 months he was enlisted into the Citizen Air Force of the R.A.A.F. at No. 3 Recruiting Centre in Brisbane on 25th May 1941 after giving an undertaking that he would serve for the duration of the war and an additional twelve months. He was allotted the service number of 405710. His physical description at the time of his enlistment was that he was 5 feet 6 inches in height and weighed 151 pounds. He had a dark complexion, grey eyes and dark hair. He stated that he was of the Church of England Religion. He gave his next of kin as his father, Mr Frederick Turner Bailey, residing at “Braeside”, Southbrook, Toowoomba. He also gave his brother, Mr Ronald Bailey, as a person to be advised in the event of injury or death.
Sergeant Lloyd Bailey joined No. 15 Gunner Course at No. 3 Initial Training School at Sandgate in Queensland on 25th May 1941. He then proceeded to No. 2 Wireless & Gunnery School at Parkes in New South Wales on 24th July 1941 where he was a student on No. 16 (Air Gunners) Course. Upon completing his course he was awarded Wireless/Air Gunner Badge on 4th February 1942 and on the following day promoted to the rank of Temporary Sergeant. He joined No. 1 Bombing & Gunnery School at Evans Head in New South Wales on 5th February 1942. He joined No. 8 Service Flying Training School at Bundaberg in Queensland on 9th March 1942. He was transferred to Headquarters North Eastern Area at Townsville on 13th May 1942. He was subsequently attached to 90th Bombing Squadron of the 3rd Bombardment Group of the United States Army.
Sergeant Lloyd Bailey was a Wireless Operator/Air Gunner and member of the crew of a Mitchell
B25 bomber No. 41-12450 based at Charters Towers in Queensland that was detailed to carry out a bombing attack on Lae Aerodrome on 25th May 1942. The aircraft was attacked by Zero fighters and heavy anti-aircraft fire over Lae, New Guinea. The aircraft was last seen on the afternoon of the 25th May 1942, losing altitude in the vicinity of Lae Aerodrome by members of the other aircraft on the same mission. No report was received from the aircraft after it was last seen and it is believed that its engines had been put out of commission by enemy gun fire. No searches to find the missing were able to be carried out.
On 20th August 1946 Squadron Leader Rundle of the R.A.A.F. Searcher Party, submitted the following report:
Aircraft B25 (Mitchell) – Having the details concerning the loss of the above aircraft, in my possession whilst I was at Lae making investigations concerning the missing aircraft, I instituted enquiries at and around Lae, and interrogated numerous natives of the surrounding districts but failed to obtain any information which may have resulted in establishing the fate of Sergeant Bailey L.M. The R.A.A.F. Searcher Party have been operating in this area for the past fourteen days, during which time exhaustive searches in areas for a radius of approximately 30 miles from Lae have been carried out, and although many reports have been followed up, there still remains no trace of this aircraft. In view of the time lapsed since this aircraft was reported missing, and taking into consideration that Lae area has been re-occupied since September 1943, there appears very little likelihood that Sergeant Bailey will be found alive. Inspecting the records at War Graves Services, Lae, and United States War Graves, Finschafen, including records of unidentified members have been perused by me; but there is nothing to suggest that the aircraft has been located or the remains of the crew recovered, and accordingly, it is not considered that further searches will reveal any information.
Sergeant Lloyd Bailey’s name is commemorated on the Lae Memorial to the Missing in New Guinea and locally on the Toowoomba Grammar School WW2 Honour Board.