Frank Arthur Bailey was born in British Guiana on 26 November 1925 and was educated at local church schools.

[2][3] This led him to move to New York, United States, where he found work at a hospital, initially as a porter before becoming a medical assistant within the physiotherapy department.

[2] At the hospital, he successfully led a walkout in opposition to racially segregated dining facilities.

[2][4] According to Michael Nicholas, a former FBU national secretary for black and ethnic minority members, this was due to the inherent racism within the service.

[1] Throughout his life Bailey had three marriages which all resulted in divorce, the first to Isabella Maven, the second to Josie Munro, and the third to Joy Greenall.