HAYES, JOSEPH A.

 

Photograph with kind permission of the Uttoxeter Advertiser

 

Sources

CWGC

SDGW

Uttoxeter Advertiser

Other

Parents

Richard and Ellen Hayes

Yes

 

 

 

Where born

Uttoxeter

 

Yes

 

 

When born

 

 

 

 

 

Address

Parents: 10, Short Street, Uttoxeter

Yes

 

 

 

Short Street, Uttoxeter

 

 

8a, 8b, 8d, 8e

8a

Spouse

 

 

 

 

 

Children

 

 

 

 

 

Employment Before Joining up

 

 

 

 

 

Where enlisted

Uttoxeter

 

Yes

 

 

Former service

2669, Private, North Staffordshire Regiment

 

 

 

4

Regiment

North Staffordshire (Prince of Wales’s)

Yes

Yes

 

1, 4

Unit

6th Bn.

Yes

 

 

 

1st/6th Bn

 

Yes

 

 

Rank

Private

Yes

Yes

8a, 8b, 8c, 8d, 8e, 8f

1, 4

Service Number

Formerly 2669

 

 

 

1

240535

Yes

Yes

 

4

Date of Death

1 July 1916

Yes

Yes

8b, 8e, 8f

1, 4

Age at time of death

22

Yes

 

 

 

Where Killed or died

Gommecourt Wood

 

 

8b, 8d, 8e

 

France/Flanders

 

Yes

 

 

How he died

Killed in Action

 

Yes

8b, 8e, 8f

 

Missing, presumed killed

 

 

8b

4

Died of illness

 

 

 

1

Location of Grave or Memorial

Gommecourt Wood New Cemetery, Foncquevillers - Grave II. D. 27.

Yes

 

 

 

Awards

1916 Star F/5/B2 Page 142

 

 

 

4

Victory Medal 7/104 B20 Page 2510

 

 

 

4

British Medal 7/104 B20 Page 2510

 

 

 

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.