Claude Edward Hayes

Private Claude Edward Hayes, served with “D” Company, 1st Battalion King’s Own Scottish Borderers, he was killed in action on 11th April 1918 he has no known grave, his name is commemorated on the Ploegsteert Memorial

In this letter to Claude Hayes' parents Private Standing of Leeds, a close friend, recalled how their son fell it was published in the Hucknall Dispatch on 4th September 1919 "I was a great friend of your son, Claude, both being in the same platoon. We left Paschendale [sic] where we had been for a long time and came away for a rest, our ultimate destination being Arras. An order came through however that the enemy had broken through near Armentieeres [sic] and we were hurried off in motors to that sector alighting at a place called Merville. We dug ourselves in at that place and a terrible machine gun barrage commenced, the Germans practically surrounding us. We retired to a hedge and your son was one of the lucky ones to get through. The enemy were still advancing and his machine guns were literally slaughtering us, and one officer, a private, your son and myself had to run along a country road which was like a hailstorm with bullets, all of which were explosive ones. The officer with us was the first to get hit, and I am sorry to tell you the worst - your son was hit with a bullet in the knee which nearly took off his leg. I saw him fall and shall never forget his face as long as I live. He shouted for stretcher bearers, but they had been wounded, killed, or captured long before. Had he been lucky enough to escape being hit he would have been taken prisoner along with me, for they captured me less than five minutes after. I could not rest until I had given you this information, for on my repatriation I ascertained that your son was still reported missing and I was the only one who saw him shot. May he rest in peace." Above article is courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918