Ernest is listed as being killed in action on 8 Jul 1917. The Company war diary entry for the day is very brief and is transcribed below as are two newspaper obituaries. We believe that Ernest was killed when a shell exploded in or over a trench he was working on.
Obituary's
Kenilworth Advertiser & Coventry Standard - 20 July 1917
DEATN IN ACTION. - We regret to hear that the relatives of Private Ernest W. Bailey, Royal Engineers, have received advice from his Commanding Officer of his death in action on July 8th. Private Bailey was a bright Hampton boy and had attained the age of 29 years. He lived at Bradnock's Marsh ahd leaves a widow and three children. His mother and sister are old residents in the village.
Coventry Evening Telegraph - 4 August 1917
Ernest William Bailey, of Bradnock’s Marsh joined the army in March last, in the Royal Engineers. He had only been at the front a few weeks when he was killed on July 8th, by a high explosive shell while repairing the trenches. He leaves a widow and three small children
