Civilian John William Bailey, Section Leader of Eastbourne NFS, was born in the winter of 1912 at Eastbourne, the son of George William Bailey and Bertha Williams.

In the spring of 1941 John married Peggy Turner at St Mary’s Church, Eastbourne. The Eastbourne Herald for the 7th of June reports upon the wedding, noting that Peggy was the eldest daughter of Police Constable Turner and Mrs. Turner of 3, The Crescent.

John was a regular fireman, the son of Mr. W Bailey and the late Mrs. Bailey of Reading. The Reverend Hugh N Keeling conducted the service. The couple then resided at Olive Lynn, Downs Valley Road, Willingdon.

At 2.57pm on the 7th of February 1943, four German F.W. 190's made a low level attack on Eastbourne town-centre, dropping 500 kg. bombs.

One bomb pierced the Fire Station before exploding inside, demolished the building, also doing considerable damage to the Technical Institute. Several houses and shops were also badly damaged in this area.

Another bomb demolished Cave's Cafe and Russell and Bromley's shop in Terminus Road and severely damaged Truform and Brufords' premises. Other shops in the vicinity were also damaged.

A third bomb penetrated houses on the west side of Lushington Road, travelled across the road and exploded in houses on the east side. Three houses were demolished and several others badly damaged.

A house in Hardwick Road received a direct hit from the fourth bomb and was demolished.

Local Rescue Services were augmented by crews from East Sussex and Kent and the Casualty Detector Unit was used for the Hardwick Road and Fire Station incidents.

John Bailey was killed in the bomb incident at the Grove Road Fire Station. Six fireman were killed and two were seriously injured and they remained in the rubble for two hours before they could be rescued.

He is buried in the family grave at Ocklynge upon which are also named:

"Bertha Amey Bailey, died 7th of February 1919, George William Bailey died on the 27th of June 1948" also "Ethel Williams sister of Bertha Amy Bailey who died on the 19th of February 1961 aged 82."