BAYLISS, Michael

Mike joined the RAN during the mid-Sixties as a Midshipman Aircrew Officer and after completing his basic Observer Training at HMAS Cerberus and with the Royal Navy joined 725 Squadron based at HMAS Albatross for Operational Flying Training on the Wessex Mk31A ASW Helicopter. !967 saw him embarked in HMAS Melbourne with 817 Squadron and being deployed to Asia for SEATO Exercises.

During the third quarter of 1968 he was selected for Service in the RAN Helicopter Flight Vietnam (RANHFV) 2nd contingent and arriving in the Republic of Vietnam in October 1968.Once in country he joined the Operations Team as an Assistant Operations Officer.

On return to Australia in 1969 and when he had completed his Short Service Commission Mike retired from the RAN and became a schoolteacher spending some years at the Muswellbrook South Public School.

Mikes son (Tim Bayliss AM) advised:  “Dad died on Friday 23 June 2023 at 6:20 pm following a lengthy battle with dementia.  He died at the Governor Phillip Manor, RSL Life Aged Care facility in the presence of his wife of 56 years, Pam.  He died quite suddenly and was not in any pain.”  The family are having a service at Minchinbury Cemetery on the 4 July 2023, which you can watch in real time or see later (for up to 90 days) by clicking here.

We know that you join with us in offering our most heartfelt condolences to the family.

We thank Tim Bayliss, John Macartney, Murray Smythe and Jeff Dalgliesh for  the above information, which allowed us to share a little of Mike’s life with you.