Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Manfred Charles Bayliss a general labourer, born 1869 in Pailton, Warwickshire and his wife Rebecca Elizabeth Bayliss (nee Lawrence, married on the 23rd February 1896 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester), born 1876 in Aston Flamville, Leicestershire. Thomas Edward was born in 1897 in Leicester and was baptised on the 2nd May 1897 in St. Peter’s Church, Leicester, he had one sibling, Emma Elizabeth, born 1900 in Leicester, in March 1901 the family home was at 5, Guthlaxton Street, Guthlaxton Avenue, Leicester. In April 1911 Thomas was employed assisting in shoe work and was residing in the family home at Albert Street, Syston, Leicestershire together with his father, a gas stoker, his mother and siblings, Emma, a schoolgirl, Edith Anne, a schoolgirl, born 1902 in Leicester, Henry, a schoolboy, born 1904, William Manfred, born 7th March 1908 and Winifred Maud, born 1911, the latter three siblings were all born in Syston, Leicestershire. Thomas first entered the theatre of war in France on the 29th July 1915, he was awarded the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 21 Mar-18 - EPEHY. The 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGT in Support. Orders to man Battle Stations received. “A” and “D” Companies garrison posts in EPEHY. “B” and “C” Companies left SAULCOURT at 5.00am a good deal of trouble was encountered getting into position through hostile barrage, high explosive and gas. In position in YELLOW LINE by 7.30am heavy bombardment on line all morning. 1.45pm. Enemy reported breaking through 16th Division on our right. 2.20pm. MALASSISE FARM reported to be held by the enemy. 3.35pm. MALASSISE FARM held by enemy. Enemy also in RONSSOY WOOD, TETARD WOOD still in our hands. 16th Division holding STRONG POINT on RAILWAY EMBANKMENT. 6 inch Howitzer Battery near EPEHY – ST. EMILIE ROAD withdrawn 3 guns, abandoning one. Enemy seen advancing in waves between MALASSISE FARM and RONSSOY, appeared to be massing in SUNKEN ROAD. About this time stragglers from 16th Division were coming back in small parties. 4.45pm. Counter attack with TANK carried out on our right, in direction of RONSSOY WOOD. 6.00pm. It became necessary to form a defensive flank facing ST. EMILIE ROAD, also to withdraw from FRONT LINE to CLOSE SUPPORT LINE. Enemy on our right having nearly reached BROWN LINE. 7.00pm to 9.00pm. YELLOW LINE heavily shelled. FRONT LINE knocked out altogether. 9.00pm to 6.30am. Fairly quiet. Patrols sent out in front of our line, no sign of enemy.
On Friday June 21st 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “LOCAL CASUALTIES.” – The following local names have appeared in the official casualty lists published during the past week: - From Friday’s list: Wounded and Missing (Previously reported wounded). Leicestershire Regt. – Bayliss, 23823 T. E. (Syston).