Transcript

of

Robert Bayly [Obituary]

Trans. Devon. Assoc. vol. XXXIII, (1901), pp. 33-34.

by

J. Brooking-Rowe (Ed.)

Prepared by Michael Steer

The obituary was read at the Association’s July 1901 Exeter meeting. A fulsome obituary for Mr Baily may be accessed at Brian Mosely’s “Who was Who in Old Plymouth” website. The obituary, from a copy of a rare and much sought-after journal can be downloaded from the Internet Archive. Google has sponsored the digitisation of books from several libraries. These books, on which copyright has expired, are available for free educational and research use, both as individual books and as full collections to aid researchers.

Robert Bayly was born in Brunswick Terrace, Plymouth, 11th August, 1839, the son of John Bayly, solicitor and timber merchant He was educated at the private school of Mr. Joseph Greaves, a well-known and successful teacher, and afterwards studied in France and Germany. With his brother Richard, who died not long after, he entered the business of his father, which was then altered from the firm of Bayly and Fox, and carried on under the style of K. and R. Bayly. In everything connected with the welfare of Plymouth Robert Bayly took an active part, and of the charities of the town and neighbourhood he was a warm supporter by act and deed. He followed the course of municipal matters with much interest, but, like several others of his friends, declined to become a member of the Council, or to be elected Mayor of the Borough. In 1893 he was Chairman of the Plymouth Chamber of Commerce, and as such received the Association of Chambers of Commerce, which met in the town in the autumn of that year. In 1888 Mr. Bayly commenced an agitation for connecting all lightships, lighthouses, and coastguard stations by telephone or telegraph with the general telegraphic system of the country, and succeeded in inducing the Government to appoint a Royal Commission, to which he gave very valuable information. He was Chairman of the Sutton Harbour Improvement Company, a member of the Board of Cattewater Commissioners, a County Councillor for Devon, and a Justice of the Peace for the County. Pecuniary help to a considerable amount contributed by Mr. Bayly and his family mainly led to the establishment of the Marine Biological Laboratory at Plymouth. Many happy hours his friends have spent with him on cruises on board his yacht, and the Royal Western Yacht Club, of which he was an old member, and other institutions, benefited by his thoughtful generosity. By his wife, Emma Sophia, daughter of H. Sewell, of Cirencester, he had a family of eight children, all of whom survive him. He became a life member so long ago as 1871, and was always anxious for the success and welfare of the Association. More than once he has asked the writer of this notice if there was anything he could do to help on its work.

Severe illness laid its heavy hand upon him some five years since. He gradually became a confirmed invalid and a great sufferer. Three weeks before his death he was seized with paralysis, and died on 18th July, 1901. He was buried at Pennycross on 22nd July, large numbers of relatives, friends, acquaintances, and representatives of public bodies following his remains to the grave.