HAYES, JOSEPH A.
Photograph with kind permission of the Uttoxeter Advertiser
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CWGC |
SDGW |
Uttoxeter Advertiser |
Other |
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Parents |
Richard and Ellen Hayes |
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Where born |
Uttoxeter |
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When born |
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Address |
Parents: 10, Short Street, Uttoxeter |
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Short Street, Uttoxeter |
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8a, 8b, 8d, 8e |
8a |
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Spouse |
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Children |
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Employment Before Joining up |
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Where enlisted |
Uttoxeter |
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Yes |
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Former service |
2669, Private, North Staffordshire Regiment |
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4 |
Regiment |
North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s) |
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Yes |
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1, 4 |
Unit |
6th Bn. |
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1st/6th Bn |
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Yes |
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Rank |
Private |
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8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f |
1, 4 |
Service Number |
Formerly 2669 |
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1 |
240535 |
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Yes |
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4 |
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Date of Death |
1 July 1916 |
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Yes |
8b, 8e, 8f |
1, 4 |
Age at time of death |
22 |
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Where Killed or died |
Gommecourt Wood |
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8b, 8d, 8e |
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France/Flanders |
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Yes |
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How he died |
Killed in Action |
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Yes |
8b, 8e, 8f |
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Missing, presumed killed |
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8b |
4 |
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Died of illness |
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1 |
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Location of Grave or Memorial |
Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers - Grave II. D. 27. |
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Awards |
1916 Star F/5/B2 Page 142 |
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4 |
Victory Medal 7/104 B20 Page 2510 |
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4 |
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British Medal 7/104 B20 Page 2510 |
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4 |
The North Staffordshire Regimental History1 gives his name as Joseph A. Hayes.
He was brother of Peter Hayes, who was also killed and has a record of his own in our research.
Joseph first went to the Western Front on the 28th of June 19154. By the time he met his death Joseph had served in the trenches for over a year. This means that he will have taken part in, and survived, the battle of Loos, in which so many of Uttoxeter’s men lost their lives. He will also have served throughout the winter of 1915/1916.
He was one of four brothers who served. Two lost their lives, and it happened within a few days in July 1916. One can only try to imagine how this must have affected their mother, as she did not have time to get over one loss before hearing of the next.
Joseph took part in the attack at Gommecourt Wood on the first day of the Somme. Three weeks later the Uttoxeter Advertiser8a reported that he was missing. It was not until April 1917 that his mother received official confirmation of his deathb. Joseph was one of many Uttoxeter men who died at Gommecourt Wood on this day and his family mourned him and his brother very much. They posted memorial notices in the Uttoxeter Advertiser to mark the anniversaries of their deaths:
This heartrending memorial notice8d marked the first anniversary of their deaths, in July 1917.
Although it says that Peter died on active service in India, he is actually buried in Mesopotamia (Iraq)
In Loving Memory of Pte. Peter Hayes (who died on active service in India, July 1916) and Pte. Joe Hayes (who was killed at Gommecourt, July 1916).
Sleep on, dear sons, and take your rest,
For God takes those He loves the best;
On earth there’s strife, in heaven there’s rest –
Those miss you most who loved you best.
I mourn for you, dear sons;
No eyes can see me weep,
But many a silent tear I shed
While others are asleep.
- From their sorrowing Mother, Brothers and Sister (Short Street, Uttoxeter).
This noticer8e marked the second anniversary in 1918
In Loving Memory of Pte. Joseph Hayes, killed in action at Gommecourt Wood, July 1 1916; and Pte. Peter Hayes, who died in Mesopotamia, July 4 1916.
Not dead to us, we loved them dear,
Not lost, but gone before;
They live with us in memory still,
And will for evermore.
“Duty Nobly Done.”
- From their loving Mother, Brothers and Sister. – Short Street, Uttoxeter.
This notice in the Uttoxeter Advertiser8f marked the third anniversary in 1918
In Loving Memory of Pte. Joseph Hayes, who was killed in France on July 1 1916; also Pte. Peter Hayes, who died in Mesopotamia, July 5 1916.
They bravely anwered duty’s call,
They gave their lives for one and all.
The unknown grave is the bitterest blow,
None but aching hearts can know.
- Ever remembered by their loving Mother, Brothers and Sister.