Lot 2106

Description

New Zealand Medal, undated. Chaplain to the Forces John A Bayley BA. Impressed. Post nominal 'BA' may be officially corrected from 'MA', very fine.

Ex Baldwin's London 1955, Dixon's Yorkshire, Lascelles Collection (Auckland) 1996. With research and 'Men of Faith and Courage, the Official History of the NZ Chaplains', in which Bayley is mentioned. Four New Zealand Medals were awarded to Chaplains for the New Zealand wars. Chaplains' functions included tending to wounded and officiating at burial ceremonies. John Arden Bayley was born on 21 March 1821. After completing a Batchelor of Arts he joined the Army Chaplain's Department on 1 January 1861. He held the rank of Chaplain 4th Class which equates to Army Captain. Bayley left Gravesend for New Zealand aboard 'Silver Eagle' in December 1863 and arrived in Auckland on 3 March 1864. Bayley's service in New Zealand was generally restricted to the Auckland and Waikato theatres and almost certainly included the Battle of Orakau. He returned to England in 1866 and was promoted to Chaplain 3rd Class (Major) on 1 January 1871. Reverend Bayley saw no further overseas service and was further promoted to the rank of Chaplain 2nd Class (Lieutenant Colonel) on 1 January 1876. Bayley was a career military chaplain and served throughout various bases and posts in England. Whilst in military service he completed a Master of Arts degree. On 1 January 1881 Reverend Bayley was promoted to Chaplain 1st Class (Colonel). This is the highest rank a member of the Army Chaplain's Department can attain. He retired on 21 March 1887, having served 26 years.