Name
John Thomas William Hayes
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/03/1919
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
9813
Leicestershire Regiment
1st Bn. (Transferred to (343562) 377th Home Service Employment Coy, Labour Corps).
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
CANNOCK CHASE WAR CEMETERY
4. A. 15.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
He has no family inscription on his Headstone.
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Waltham Cross Memorials
Pre War
John Thomas William HAYES was born in Enfield, Middlesex, in late 1891, son of Edward Hayes, an employee at the Royal Small Arms factory in Enfield, Middx, and Emily Hayes (nee Widdowson), Edwards first wife, they married in August 1885. John was one of six children although one died in infancy.
1901 Census records John aged 9, living with his parents, brothers Edward (14), William (7), sisters Catherine (11) and Emily (5) at, 3 St Georges Cottages, Elmore Road, Enfield, Middx. The family had a boarder, Peter O’Brian.
His mother Emily passed away in the early part of 1903, aged 42.
His father Edward remarried in 1905, to Louise Oborne, of Southampton, they went on to have four children.
No 1911 Census was found for John. His father Edward and stepmother Louise, two half-brothers, two -half sisters, brother William and sister Emily were living at 46 Uckfield Road, Enfield Wash, Middx.
John enlisted under the name of Edward James Hayes at Ponders End, Middx, on 10th December 1913, in the Army Reserve (Special Reserve) for 6 years and issued with the service number 11314, he was discharged just 26 days later on 4th January 1914, as he had enlisted in the Regular Army, joining on 5th January 1914, still under the name of Edward James Hayes in the Leicestershire Regiment for 7 years with the colours and 5 years in the Reserves. He gave his age as 22 years and his occupation as a Nursery Hand. He was issued with the service number 9813. He served with the 1st & 3rd Battalions at home until the outbreak of War.
His father Edward Hayes passed away in February 1919, aged 56.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of war John (Edward) was with the 3rd Battalion, stationed in Leicester. Posted to the 2nd Battalion and sent to France sailing from Southampton on 11th December 1914.
John (Edward) was wounded and admitted to No. 19 Casualty Clearing Station (CCS) on 31st May 1915, later transferred to No. 5 CCS, from there back to the UK on 24th June 1915. (He remained in the UK for the remainder of his Military service).
John married Alice Kate Simpkins on 22nd July 1916, at the Baptist Chapel, New Southgate, Middx, they went on to have a daughter Kate Olive Hayes born in July 1917. In August 1916, he applied to have his name changed on his service record to his correct name John Thomas William Hayes, so his wife Alice could receive an allowance from his pay.
In July 1917, John was transferred to the 377th Home Service Employment Coy, Labour Corps, with the new service number 343562.
He died on 23rd March 1919, at The Military Hospital, Cannock Chase, Staffordshire, of Broncho Pneumonia. He is buried in Cannock Chase War Cemetery in Staffordshire. Grave Ref; 4. A. 15.
Additional Information
Alice received a grant of £6, on 7th May 1919, and a pension 36/8 (£1-16-08) a week from 29th September 1919 for herself and child, and his effects of £12-03s-04d, pay owing and his war gratuity of £14-16s-08d.
His service record is available on-line at, findmypast.co.uk and ancestry.co.uk.
*1 The CWGC records John's father as J. T. Hayes however we believe this to be incorrect and that his father's name was name is Edward as the above biography.
Acknowledgments
Stuart Osborne
