Tom Bailey awarded The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Medal and Certificate of Merit

Ex-Rochdale councillor Tom Bailey with The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers’ Medal and Certificate of Merit

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Tom Bailey was awarded the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers Medal along with a Certificate of Merit for long term dedication to the Fusiliers on Sunday 2 August in the Gallipoli Gardens in Bury, as part of the Minden Day 2015 Drumhead commemoration service.

Citation reads:

Mr Tom Bailey has served the Regiment in one form or another for over 50 years. He enlisted into the 5th Bn of the Lancashire Fusiliers in June 1963 as a Junior Bandsman, and from there saw service with the 1st Bn The Lancashire Fusiliers, 4th Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers and then finally service with The 2nd Bn The Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, before his discharge in 1974. During this period his service recognised with the award of a GOC Northern Ireland Commendation.

Tom Joined the Association in 1984 and was immediately recruited onto its management committee so strong were his organisational skills.

Within twelve months he was appointed as the Deputy Chairman, a position that he held for over eight years and where he continued to make a positive contribution across all areas of the Rochdale Branch. Following his term as Deputy Chairman, Tom was appointed as Chairman of the Rochdale Branch, a position he has held for over 30 years and one in which he has excelled.

That Tom has managed to give so much to the Association over the years whilst holding down a full time job, and for a period of time concurrently serving as a Councillor for Rochdale Metropolitan Council, is indicative not only of his commitment to public service and the Regiment, but also his ability to manage his time, resources, and more importantly the people he works with well. A no nonsense, straight talking individual, his views are respected and sought across the whole of the Association. As importantly, once a consensus has been reached by the Branch Chairmen, and regardless of whether he is on the right side of that consensus or not, he throw his weight behind it; his loyalty and unstinting support is beyond question.

Tom Bailey has given a great deal to the Association and its members over the last 42 years and recognition of his, dedication, loyalty and commitment are worthy of an official Regimental award.

The citation is signed by the Colonel of the Regiment, Brigadier D J Paterson OBE and dated 1 August 2015.