Frank Bailey (firefighter)

Frank Bailey (firefighter)

Frank Arthur Bailey was a Guyanese-British firefighter and social worker. Born in British Guiana, he first worked on a German trade ship which led him to move to New York. In 1953, he moved to London and came across a Fire Brigades Union delegate who told him that black people were not employed by the fire service. He challenged this by applying as a firefighter. In 1955, he was accepted and became one of the first black firefighters in the UK.

About Frank Bailey (firefighter) in brief

Summary Frank Bailey (firefighter)Frank Arthur Bailey was a Guyanese-British firefighter and social worker. Born in British Guiana, he first worked on a German trade ship which led him to move to New York and soon found work at a hospital becoming a medical assistant. In opposition to racially segragated practices, he led a walkout at the hospital. In 1953, he moved to London and came across a Fire Brigades Union delegate who told him that black people were not employed by the fire service.

He challenged this by applying as a firefighter. In 1955, he was accepted and became one of the first black firefighters in the UK though left 10 years later due to being consistently turned down for promotion. Afterwards, he became a social worker, guardian ad litem and a legal adviser, retiring in 1990. He died on 2 December 2015 aged 90.