Name
William John Hailey
1880
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20969
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin, St Faith’s Church Memorial, Walsworth
Pre War
William was born in 1880 in Hitchin and christened on 3 June 1881. His parents were George and Mary Ann Hailey (née Halfpenny).
In 1881 the family were living at Parcels Yard, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (34) and Mary A. (33), with George working as an agricultural labourer. Their children were: Arthur (11), Alfred (2) and William just two months.
In 1891 George appears to be living with his older brother Charles, living in Willesden and working as a tar (road) paviour’s labourer. Mary was found at 10 Halls Yard, Hitchin with children: Alfred, William, Fred (6) and Charlie (1).
In 1901 the family were living at 1 Old Park Road, Hitchin. Present now were both parents, with George working as a gas works labourer. Alfred, now 23, William, now 21, and working as a mineral water maker, and Charles, were all present.
William married Rose Annie Eliza Goodsell (b 3 October 1888) in 1910 and in 1911 they were living at No 2 Hitchin Hill, Hitchin, Herts.
Present were both parents, William (30 and Rose (22), with William working as a coal carter. The children present were step-daughter, Rose Goodsell (3), and William John (junior, at three months). The census confirmed that they had been married for 1 years with 1 step-child and 1 child.
Two children were born later: Nellie Louisa (b 15/12/1912) and Mary Ann (b 26/10/1914).
William enlisted in 1915 and was employed by P. W. & P. Franklin of Letchworth and later by Messrs Jermyn & Perry.
Officially William was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts., living in Walsworth, Herts., and enlisting in Bedford.
Wartime Service
William was allocated Regimental Number 20969. He was with the 8th Battalion and was killed in action in France.
The 8th Battalion attacked a strongpoint known as the ‘Quadrilateral’ opposite Ginchy and Bouleaux Wood on the 15th September 1916. Of the tanks that were supposed to have been in advance of the infantry, only one appeared and that immediately stuck in the mud. In the attack they were assisted by the Heavy Section of the Machinegun Corps. Zero hour was 6.20am ad they attacked in three assault waves. Quadrilateral on the left flank with ‘B’ Company attacking the trench leading to it. At 6.00am heavy artillery opened a slow barrage on the line Morval to Les Boeufs. At zero hour the barrage became more intense but was cut short leading to numerous casualties. At 6.00pm they were relieved and put into Brigade Reserve. The attack had failed and the casualties were numbered in hundreds.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on Pier and Face 2C of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on Face 2C in France.
Additional Information
After his death £3 6s 5d was authorised to go to his widow, Rose, on 1 February 1917. Later, another 5s was authorised on 2 April 1917, followed by a a war gratuity of £5 was authorised to be paid to her, on 13 October 1919.
His pension cards record Rose Annie Eliza Hailey – later amended to the surname Arnold(*1), as his widow and dependant, living at 4 Alpine Cottage, Orchard Road, Hitchin, Hitchin. It also records foyr children: Rose Margaret Goodsall (step-child b 16/8/1907), xxxx John (b 17/12/1910), Nellie Louisa (b 15/12/1912) and Mary Ann (b 26/10/1914). She was awarded a pension of 28s 9d a week from 9 April 1917.
*1 Rose remarried in 25 February 1918 to a civilian George Arnold. As a result she received a remarriage gratuity of £34 17s 4d on 26 April 1918.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
