John William Hayes
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
John William Hayes was born in 1886 the son of William a farm labourer and Sarah Hayes (née Hallam). William was born in 1861 at Duckmanton, Derbyshire, Sarah Hallam in 1862 at Cotgrave. Married in 1881, they had fourteen children, eleven surviving infancy - Mary b.1883, Martha b.1884, John b.1886, Annie b.1890, Harriett b.1892, Lizzie b.1894, Leonard b.1896, Ernest b.1898, Albert b.1901, Emily b.1903 and Mabel b.1906. In 1911 the family was living at 8 The Gripps Cottages, Cotgrave. John William has left the family home. He was serving with the Sherwood Foresters in India.
By 1911 John had joined the Regular Army in the 1st Battalion of the Sherwood Foresters and was serving with them in India as an Assistant Armourer. In November 1914 the Battalion was sent to France without any chance to adjust to European conditions. As a result the men suffered badly in the first 4 winter months of trench warfare. John, by now a Lance Corporal, was no exception and was taken into the 4th Stationary Hospital on 6th December for one week. In 1915 the Battalion took part in 2 major battles – Neuve Chappelle and Loos. John was promoted for his bravery under fire but was wounded on 15 May 1915 and returned to England. He convalesced in Sleaford and was returned to his unit shortly afterwards. By the time the battle of the Somme started on 1 July 1916 John had moved to the 2nd Battalion. On 16 September 1916, 5 years after joining the Army and at the age of 30, John, now a Lance Sergeant, was killed during an attack with his battalion near Guillemont, France. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial. Thanks to John Ludlam for help with this page.
Unknown
