Sir Abe Bailey, 1st Baronet, KCMG

Colonel Sir Abe Bailey, 1st Bt. gained the rank of Captain in the service of the Sussex Imperial Yeomanry.2 In 1895 he was a member of the Johannesburg Committee during Jameson's Raid.2 He gained the rank of Colonel in 1900.2 He fought in the Boer War between 1900 and 1902.2 He held the office of Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) [Cape of Good Hope] between 1902 and 1905.2 In 1907 he raised and financed troops to suppress the Zulu Rebellion.2 He held the office of Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) [Transvaal] between 1907 and 1910.2 He was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.) in 1911.2 He gained the rank of Major in the service of the South African Forces.2 In 1915 he raised and financed sharpshooters for the Western Front.2 He held the office of Member of the Legislative Assembly (M.L.A.) [Union of South Africa] between 1915 and 1924, for Krugersdrop.2 He was decorated with the award of Croix de Guerre.2 He was created 1st Baronet Bailey, of Cardock, in the Province of the Cape of Good Hope and the Union of South Africa [U.K.] on 12 February 1919.1 He held the office of Justice of the Peace (J.P.) for Sussex.2 He was admitted to Liveryman of the Framework Knitters' Company.2 He held the office of Lieutenant of the City of London.2 He has an extensive biographical entry in the Dictionary of National Biography

Sir Abe Bailey of Joburg - He was invested as a Knight Commander, Order of St. Michael and St. George (K.C.M.G.) in 1911

He was created 1st Baronet Bailey, of Cradock, in the Province of the Cape of Good Hope and the Union of South Africa [U.K.] on 12 February 1919

But the best-known Randlord was Sir Abe Bailey (1864 - 1940) who was born in Hilton Barber's town of Cradock, where his father was a store keeper. He started his business life as a young man on the alluvial diggings at Pilgrims Rest, then at Barberton in the Transvaal. In the newly-founded Johannesburg he operated as a stock and land broker. He later told the story that he made £400 in one day, which gave him his start -- £300 were from a benefactor for his performance in a cricket game, and then another hundred that night for riding a horse at the visiting circus! Abe was a member of the Reform Committee which planned the failed Jamieson Raid in 1896, a revolt by the Uitlanders -- as "outsiders" were called -- against the government of Paul Kruger. Under threat of a death sentence or long prison term, bribes bought his freedom, and that of others. In the first World War, Abe financed a South African regiment, and for this he was rewarded with a knighthood and baronetcy.

Sir Abe Bailey was a South African mining entrepreneur and philanthropist. Some interesting facts about Sir Abe:

• Jim Bailey, son of Sir Abe, was the founder of DRUM Magazine
• The Boschendal Wine Farm was owned by Sir Abe from 1936 to 1941.
• John Bailey, son of Sir Abe was married to Diana Churchill, daughter of Winston Churchill.
• Sir Abe was a South African provincial cricketer.
• The first ever international triangular cricket tournament, held in England in 1912, between Australia, South Africa and England, was the brainchild of Sir Abe.
• Sir Abe was one of the co-owners of The Rand Daily Mail from 1902.
• The name of Sir Abe is inscribed among others on a memorial wall erected by the Gauteng Cricket Board, honoring Transvaal cricketers.
• Ferndale in Randburg, Gauteng was named by Sir Abe after he acquired the property.
• Sir Abe was one of the first people to own an automobile in the Cape

http://www.abebailey.org/view.asp?pg=biography

• Wikipedia contributors. "Abe Bailey." Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia.