South Warwickshire Family History Society War Memorial Transcription Project

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The Fallen Men of South Warwickshire - World War One


Regimental Sergeant Major 8407 Alfred Ernest HAYWARD - 2nd Battalion, Cheshire Regiment


Killed in Action on Monday, May 24th 1915 aged 25


Military History

     
Theatre of War Medals Commonwealth War Grave or Memorial
France and Flanders 1914-15 Star, British War & Victory Medals Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial
     
Arrived in Theatre Medal Citation (if app) SWFHS Area Memorials
16 Jan 1915 in France ~ Warwick (Eleanor Cross) War Memorial
    Warwick All Saints
Action, Battle or Other Reason Killed Date and Place Enlisted  
Second Battle of Ypres 7 Jul 1907 at Warwick  
     
Place of Death Previous Regiments or Units Other War Memorials
Brandhoek ~ ~
     

Military Service History

  • 7 Jul 1907 - Enlisted as Private
  • 23 Sep 1907 - Promoted to Lance Corporal
  • 26 Jul 1909 - Promoted to Corporal
  • 28 Oct 1909 - Arrived in Bombay, India
  • 21 Apr 1913 - Promoted to Lance Sergeant
  • 8 Nov 1913 - Promoted to Sergeant
  • 10 Nov 1914 - Promoted to Colour Sergeant
  • 10 Nov 1914 - Promoted to Company Sergeant Major
  • 8 May 1915 - Promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major

Circumstances of Death

Alfred is listed as being killed in action on 24 May 1915. The 2nd Battalion war diary entries for the period 22nd to 25th May are transcribed below.

22 May 1915 - Herzeele: Battalion moved to Brandhoek

23 May 1915 - Brandhoek: Captain E.R. Nason, Lieut S.G. Watson and Lieut R.M.M. Sugar arrived from England

24 May 1915 - Brandhoek: Battalion called out (Captain S.R. Barton having assumed command) and proceeded to Ypres following line of railway south of town and thence into trenches in [Map} Square I.10 (Sheet 28 - 1/40000) an attack was made on enemy trenchwes [at Bellewaarde Farm] about midnight. Battalion was subjected to a "withering shell fire" in the morning while advancing over open ground.  the German guns leaving 18 dead, 26 missing and 248 wounded forcing their return to Brandhoek. 

25 May 1915 - Ypres: Battalion relieved and returned to Brandhoek, Brigade having been relieved by 5th Cavalry Brigade.

The following casualties occurred during these two days [24th & 25th]:
Killed: 5 Officers and 8 Other Ranks
Wounded: 4 Officers and 246 Other Ranks
Missing: 1 Officer and 25 Other Ranks

Lieut S.G. Watson assumed command of the Battalion.



 Personal & Family History

 

Birth Date/Place Baptism Date/Place
Jul Qtr 1890 in Emscote, Warwick 31 Jul 1890 at All Saints, Warwick
   
Parents Names Abode
Charles and Merrill Hayward 62 Humphris Street, Warwick
   
Schools Colleges
  ~
   
Address History Employment History
1891 - 22 Humphris Street, Warwick 1901 - Scholar
1901 - 14 Humphris Street, Warwick 1907 - General Labourer
1907 - 14 Humphris Street, Warwick 1907 - Soldier in Cheshire Regiment
1911 - Army Barracks, Bombay, India 1911 - Corporal in Cheshire Regiment
1915 - 62 Humphris Street, Warwick 1914 - Sergeant in Cheshire Regiment