William Baylis, known as Orme to his family, was Ensay born and bred. The son of William and Mary Baylis he was born 7 September 1897 at Omeo. He had two older sisters, a brother, Vere, and a little brother two years younger. When Orme was four years old his father died unexpectedly leaving his mother with five children under ten years old to raise. Orme ended up being raised by their grandfather James Angus and he attended school at Reedy Flat and Ensay. Orme’s brother Vere had enlisted on 1 September 1915 and Orme, no doubt fuelled with the adventure that his brother was having, enlisted in February 1916 with the 38 th  Battalion. He had only just turned 18 years old. One can only imagine the excitement that he must have felt starting out on his own adventure when he sailed from Melbourne on the Runic four months later. But Orme would not end up serving his country the way he imagined. On 25 July, while still at sea he was admitted to sick bay with a chill and by the time the Runic had put in at Plymouth he was dangerously ill. He was taken to the military hospital at Davenport and died there the next day from the pneumonia he had contracted while on board. He was buried at the Efford cemetery at Plymouth and was 19 years old. Orme’s brother, Vere, also died of wounds two years later. Orme Baylis is remembered on honour rolls and memorials at Omeo, Ensay and Reedy Flat.

1117 Private William Ormond Baylis – Omeo / Ensay Died of illness 11 August 1916

….. fuelled to enlist from his brother’s enlistment