Name
Vivian Charles Mayes
6 June 1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
01/09/1918
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
374947
London Regiment (Post Office Rifles)
8th (City of London) Bn., posted to 17th Bn. *1
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PERONNE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
III.N.29
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn, Welwyn Scouts Memorial
Pre War
Vivian Charles Mayes was born on 6 June 1899 in Welwyn, the son of Arthur and Ceclia Mayes (nee Pepper). Vivian was the fifth and youngest son of the family and was baptised in St. Mary’s Church on 1 February 1903 at the same time as his brother Alfred.
The family lived in Prospect Place, Welwyn, with five sons and two daughters being born between 1887 and 1901. Arthur Abel Mayes, originally from Aldersgate in London was a Life Assurance Agent married to Cecilia, also born in London.
By 1915, 16 year old Vivian had started work as Assistant Postman in Welwyn. The Post Office released over 75,000 men to fight including 12,000 who fought in its own Regiment, The Post Office Rifles.
Wartime Service
Vivian enlisted in Hertford and served from February 1918 in the 8th Battalion London Regiment (Post Office Rifles) but was then transferred to the 17th Battalion, London Regiment.
He was killed in action at Gouzeaucourt on 1 September 1918, aged 19, and is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
Additional Information
His mother received a war gratuity of £6 10s and pay owing of £16 8s 4d. Pension cards exist which suggest a pension was paid in rest of Vivian and brothers John and Alfred, but there is no indication of the amount paid.
Brother to John William Mayes who died on 2 September 1918 and Alfred Leonard Mayes who died on 28 June 1917. They are also named on the Welwyn Memorials.
*1 Believed more correctly, (County of London)
Bn. London Regiment (Poplar and Stepney Rifles).
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
