You were such a joy to watch on Pirates of the Caribbean. You added so much. As you enter eternal rest, please know that you have many fans. Rest Well, Fair Winds Mr. Cotton.

Bill Sudbery

From Marjorie Bailie-Kunzle, To celebrate David’s life has to be about acting. my anecdote of David is of our joint introduction to theatrical spin that resulted in good publicity for him and Terry Hands’ new Company at the Liverpool Everyman Theatre which David had just joined straight out of RADA in 1965. The Theatre’s Press Office released a not quite straight in facts Press release to publicise the Everyman and one of their actors, David Bailie, by announcing his engagement to the granddaughter heiress of the Kunzle Cakes’ fame. I was indeed a Kunzle but not that granddaughter and not the Cakes family but the Theatre achieved their publicity aim resulting in national press coverage for the Everyman and Terry Hands’ first season, including Nigel Dempster for the Daily Mail and the Daily Express. No harm was done but I had to do some embarrassed explaining to my extended family stating that the Everyman Theatre was in HOPE Street and the new Everyman needed Hope to survive and Publicity to succeed. Hope is the name of David’s Mother and also the name of our daughter, Amy Hope. Our son is Daniel Zachary. David was a talented actor and skilled craftsman in a variety of fields.  His two children, Daniel Zachary and Amy Hope , are both highly skilled and successful professionals in their own creative fields.

Marjorie Bailie-Kunzle

David, me old mate!! We met in Fiji on the sailing trip to New Zealand with your brother, John, and his wife, Saskia, in 1996. It turned out you already had a bit of a Pirate in you. A bit rebellious and feeding the fish with some meals you didn’t like and still said, if you were asked how the meal was, excellent! Forgot to say for the fish.
The trip took 10 days instead of 5 days due to lack of wind. It certainly had its moments between the four of us on a sailing boat.
On moment I never forget and I’m still thankful for this, you performed for me only on deck, Hamlet, for half a hour. What a performance!! 🙏
After the trip you ask to spend a few days at my home in Auckland before heading back to the UK. It turned out you were a good cook.
After you left and 10 years later when I moved to the Netherlands we kept in contact visited each other and had some other adventures together. Will save that for later so in between you have your rest.
Love you forever, mate. ❤️

Rick Nicolaas

David you brought such joy to our lives
Birmingham lit up when you arrived to visit us
My family including my brothers are extremely grateful gor all the advice snd support your gave us all
You always gave such sound wisdom and shared your wealth of knowledge in abundance -how full our hearts are with the times we spent and memories we have . You were that shining star in our lives.You have left behind a large fan club in the West Midlands !

Thank you for introducing us to music, poetry and films and for attending the Write an Opera project at Ingestree Hall in the 1980’s advising young people on the magic of theatre. Your famous words ring in my ears ‘If it ain’t life threatening then don’t bother’
Wise words that will never be forgotten. Your memory will live on through those closest to you Amy , Daniel and Egidija as they so knew your philosophy on life.
Try not to row too much with the celestial beings , they are so lucky to have you!

Bogusia Matusiak-Varley

I first met David in the Caribbean filming Pirates 2&3, generous with his time he took some wonderful portrait photographs of me, he was a wonderful story teller, great company and a very fine actor. I feel lucky to have met him, worked with him, and shared evenings of good conversation too. It’s hard to believe it’s been 15 years since that time. We kept in touch through Facebook and I shall miss his dry wit and fascinating postings. RIP David from a fellow pirate.

Jonathan Linsley

We remember David as friendly, always happy and cheerful person! He was very nice to my son during Egidija’s Christmas Parties and talked to him when us, ladies had fun with face masks and creams…
I remember David telling interesting stories to my son about his childhood, sports, schools.
David was also a passionate photographer and liked to take pictures.
We are very sad to hear David passed away but his memories will always be with us.
Condolences to all the family,

Rosne & Elias

DB – what a life, airport manager at Mongu age 20, black maned lion hunter (raconteur’s version), thespian, craftsman, geek, movie star, photographer, movie maker, my business partner of eight years & friend of many more. Not always an easy ride but you were big in my life & I thank you for all that we achieved & experienced together. I bet you’re up there now telling them how it ought to be done! Sail on my friend!

David Lightfoot

Known Mr Baillie since 1994 on CUTTHROAT ISLAND we were known as baddie pirates – the DAWGS – 3 months in Malta and 3 months in Thailand doing… nothing really… we were in the film for only a few seconds.. money not that special but we did have a LAFF.. yeah…

C Adamson

David, our last trip together, driving from Perth to Darwin, AU, with a T-Ford 1915 and a Landrover, raising money for orphan children, in May/June 2018.

A trip of 5000km. We got to know each even better after after spending 24/7 in the car and in a tent every day.

We had some great times and experiences together. You loved the trip as it remembered you of your time when you were young in Africa. The bush, the dirt roads, the freedom in the dessert and bush. Also you had the camera always ready making amazing photo’s. One day we had a lot of flies buzzing around and you wanted a real Ozzie hat. In the middle of the dessert there were no shops. Lucky we had paperclips so you made strings of paper clips and fixed them to your hat and no more flies buzzing around your head.

David, you were a great companion and you will always be remembered.

Rick Nicolaas

My dear, irascible friend of 50 tumultuous years, you snuck out without telling me! Just like something you would do before I had a chance to see you again. I met David in late 1970, having been introduced to him by his Canadian actor friend, Rick Jones. David and I hit it off straight away…pretty much arguing over just about anything we discussed. We really bonded when we replaced the gearbox of his Austin van out back on the freezing concrete in the middle of winter of ’71. I have never been so cold in my life. And while you were filming Pirates, I just happened to be living in LA, and you and E and I spent a lot of time together there. You gave her a wonderful life, David. Imagine what her life was like under the yoke of Communism before you met, and what it became. A real fairy tale. And when you were all set to do The Timber, you borrowed my six shooter and holster so as to get handy with a rig. I can hear your voice any time I think of you. I’m thinking of you.

Paul Olsen

One day I’ll always recall was the 1974 World Cup at David’s flat in Olympia. Germany defeated Holland in a nail biter. Also going down to Kent one Saturday to learn to hang glide & it being too windy. Not to mention many enjoyable late nights at Dave’s in those early days. It was David who got me the gig with STOMU YAMASHTA in Paris after he worked with him in RAIN DOG THEATRE at the Roundhouse in 74/75.
Will look in for the service. Love to his family. He had a full long life & success. Wish we could have hooked up when he was here in Oz. So many fond memories…and what a character and good friend.

Ron Charles

Angus Wright

What to say that hasn’t been said by others?
You were always a good bloke to chat with, and my dad loved passing the time of day with you. You underlined by example what my Dad had always said, which was “If there is something you want, you have to go for it. No holds barred.”
Oh, and there was that somewhat inebriated pub chat we had back in the eighties, when you very convincingly argued, (after Dan and I had been very dismissive of them) that Abba would be long remembered as one of the greatest pop bands of the 20th Century and that “Dancing Queen” was a classic. You were right. 🙂
Farewell Big D

Jamie Ferguson

It’s been an absolute pleasure and privilege knowing you, David. Can’t believe it’s been over 15 years since we met.
Will always fondly remember your stories, your youthful energy and desire to create beauty in this world. RIP

Egle M.

Such wonderful memories of rehearsing with you in London and then filming with you in Spain. What an honour to have been able to spend time with you and Egidija in stunning northern Spain, with a gorgeous cast and crew. And the incredible photos you took! That we’ll cherish. So much love…amazing man xx

Susan Stanley

I met David through film, but the friendship that developed was – and forever shall be -cherished. I particularly enjoyed the red wine(s) shared with David and, his beautiful wife, Ee. What an extraordinary man; talented, funny, genuine. I am truly heartbroken for all who knew him and – especially for – his family. I am sorry for your loss.
That said, his work, including his educational YouTube channel, will keep his light shining bright. And, boy, what a star he was to us all.
Love Amanda xx

Amanda Nanhoo-Robinson

David,
You were such a gift to our lives.. We learned so much while shooting with you “Shadows in the wind” in Asturias. But the real gift was getting to know you after that; our talks, cooking in your wonderful kitchen, our dinners, your million anecdotes, the photos you took to us while listening to The Eagles… hundreds of memories come into our minds …
We will never , never forgive you .

Ramon Rodriguez & Julia Guillen Creagh