Francis Hedley Hayward, Age 35

Lance Corporal, 13850, 7th Battalion, Wiltshire Regiment.

Wiltshire Regiment Cap Badge.

Francis Hedley Hayward was born on the Nov 30" 1881, he was the son of Richard (Born Dawley 12/10/1838) & Harriet (nee Whatmore, Born Ludlow 7/12/1838) and was the youngest of 8 children- 2 girls & 6 boys. On the 1901 census Francis was the only child still living at home with his Mother at King Street, Dawley. Harriet ran a fine drapery business, whilst Francis was a Grocers assistant.

Francis had originally enlisted in the Ox & Bucks light infantry (Regt No.14878) before being transferred to the Wiltshire regt and according to records may have served with the 3rd North Staffs in the Boer War as Drummer 4356, winning the Kings South African medal with Cape Colony and South Africa clasps 1902. The photo shown below is from the family and is believed to be of Francis.

Francis was killed in action on the 10th January 1917, this is mentioned in the battalion war diary, a transcript of which is shown below. Francis now lies buried in the Doiran Military cemetery grave ref: III.A.13.

Battalion War Diary 7th Wiltshire 10/1/1917 - GREECE, DOIRAN Sector

6pm Weather Fine
Strength, 32 Officers 929 OR’s Detached 10 Officers 99OR’s 6 OR’s Wounded, 13850 L.Cpl Hayward F.H, 14085 Pte Howell R, 13892 Pte Eades P, 17116 Pte Hardy F, 16069 Pte Smith T all of D’ Coy, 32417 Pte Farthing T, ‘A’ Coy. L.Cpl Hayward Died Of Wounds. 5 OR’s to Hospital (Wounded), 2 OR’s struck off strength.

Observation. Night. B2/B4 sector lightly shelled between 16:30 and 20:15 hours. Enemy working party on O1 dispersed by our artillery. At 20:40 M.G on O4 opened. Patrol from B6 returning at 23:40 reported considerable working party centre of O2, two of our shells took effect, M.G on O4 almost immediately replied.

Day. Fresh soil thrown out in front of trenches O2 since yesterday. B4/6 sectors heavily shelled between 11:15 and 14:05. At 11:30 12 HE shells (5.9) fell near left sector Coy HQ. One shell fell in trench and damaged signal dug-out, cutting wire and causing 4 casualties. At 11 :35 one 5.9 shell fell in WYLVE CAMP, and one also at Battn HQ in bombardment trench which failed to explode. As two of the wounded were being taken on stretchers from line to dressing station in DEEP CUT RAVINE the party was heavily shelled. First stretcher got in safely but L.Cpl HAYWARD (on second stretcher) was wounded again and also Pte Farthing (MO’s Orderly) who could proceed no further. Pte Rawlings of ‘A’ company then went forward to help and returned with a RAMC officer and men with stretchers.

This party was also shelled but got the wounded back without further casualties. Coy HQ left sector moved to WYLVE CAMP. 5 HE on SWINDON CAMP 15:30.

Inscription added to head stone by: Mrs. Martha. E. Clough, 5, Grange Street, Clayton le Moors.

He Giveth His Beloved Sleep

WWI Medal Rolls Index Card

Commonwealth War Graves
Buried Doiran Military Cemetery

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Victory Medal	British War Medal	1914-15 Star Medal