Name
Andrew C Ayres
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
19/06/1919
31
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
101455
Royal Garrison Artillery
199 Siege Bty
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
MARKYATE (ST. JOHN THE BAPTIST) NEW CHURCHYARD
B. 262.
United Kingdom
Headstone Inscription
SO HE GIVETH HIS BELOVED SLEEP
UK & Other Memorials
Markyate Village Memorial, St John The Baptist Church Memorial, Markyate
Pre War
Andrew Clement Ayres was born in Moordown, Hampshire in 1887 (baptised 6 Mar 1887 to Walter Jeffs Ayres, travelling basket maker, and Eliza (nee Dowden).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Jane (born 1875), Job (born 1878), John (born 1878), St Clements (Andrew born 1878) were living at Redhill Common, Moordown, Holdenhurst near Christchurch. The family name is recorded as Jeffs.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Joseph (born 1879), Edith (born 1883), Thomas (born 1888) Mary (born 1891), Patience (born 1896) and Willis (born 1897) were living at Branksome, Poole. The family name was recorded as Jeffs.
Andrew married Minerva (Minnie) Smith on 6 Mar 1911 at Toddington Beds and on the 1911 Census they were living at Fireball Alley, Toddington. They would have two children: Doris Louise (born 25 May 1911) and Patience Maud (born 31 Aug 1916).
Wartime Service
Andrew was called for service on 30 Jun 1916 as Gunner 101455 in the Royal Garrison Artillery. He gave his address as Aley Green, Caddington and was posted to No 1 R A Depot. On 15 Jul he was posted to No 2 Company and on 24 Jul was posted to 199 Siege Battery. Andrew went to join the Battery in the field on 25 Nov 1916.
He was wounded on 18 Aug 1917 and was returned to Base at Harfleur on 30 Aug 1917 before posting to 279 Siege Battery on 8 Sep 1917. Andrew was again wounded (Gunshot Wound, ,Chest Severely) on 10 Nov 1917 and after treatment at 1 Canadian Field Ambulance was evacuated through 4 General Hospital (17 Nov) and admitted to Norfolk War Hospital on 1 Dec 1917 and Downham Red Cross Hospital from 2 Jan - 26 Jan 1918.
Andrew was posted to Royal Artillery Command Depot at Ripon on 5 Feb 1918 and through Clearing Office on 23 Apr 1918.
On 29 Apr - 12 Sep 1918 Andrew was treated at Lord Derby Warrington Hospital for Melancholia and on 13 Sep 1918 - 22 Mar 1919 at Notts County War Hospital, Radcliffe on Trent
After a Medical Board Andrew was Discharged from the Army on 22 Mar 1919 to 3 Counties Asylum Bedfordshire. He was awarded Silver War Badge No.161193. Andrew died on 19 Jun 1919 from Tuberculosis
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Anne & Gordon Mead
