HAYES, Edward Percy
| Service Numbers: | 2386, 2386A |
|---|---|
| Enlisted: | 6 July 1915, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Last Rank: | Private |
| Last Unit: | 9th Infantry Battalion |
| Born: | Kangaroo Point, Queensland, Australia, 5 November 1887 |
| Home Town: | South Brisbane, Brisbane, Queensland |
| Schooling: | Not yet discovered |
| Occupation: | Machinist |
| Died: | Killed in Action, France, 18 September 1918, aged 30 years |
| Cemetery: |
Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension Plot 6, Row F, Grave C, |
| Memorials: | Australian War Memorial Roll of Honour |
World War 1 Service
| 6 Jul 1915: | Enlisted AIF WW1, Private, 2386, Brisbane, Queensland | |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Oct 1915: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2386, 25th Infantry Battalion, Enlistment/Embarkation WW1, --- :embarkation_roll: roll_number: '15' embarkation_place: Brisbane embarkation_ship: HMAT Warilda embarkation_ship_number: A69 public_note: '' | |
| 5 Oct 1915: | Embarked AIF WW1, Private, 2386, 25th Infantry Battalion, HMAT Warilda, Brisbane | |
| 4 Mar 1916: | Transferred AIF WW1, Private, 9th Infantry Battalion | |
| 7 May 1917: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2386, 9th Infantry Battalion, Bullecourt (Second), GSW (ankle) | |
| 20 Sep 1917: | Honoured Military Medal, Menin Road, "At Hooge... during the attack on Glencorse Wood, this soldier acted as stretcher bearer and was conspicuous by his magnificent efforts in assisting to clear the battlefield of wounded. He was always on the spot to render first aid, and showed absolute disregard for danger..." | |
| 7 Mar 1918: | Wounded AIF WW1, Private, 2386, 9th Infantry Battalion, 2nd occasion - Gassed | |
| 18 Sep 1918: | Involvement AIF WW1, Private, 2386A, 9th Infantry Battalion, "The Last Hundred Days", --- :awm_ww1_roll_of_honour_import: awm_service_number: 2386A awm_unit: 9th Australian Infantry Battalion awm_rank: Private awm_died_date: 1918-09-18 |
Private Edward Percy Hayes
Albert Percy Hayes was born on 5th December 1887 in Brisbane, Queensland, the only child of Mary Jane De Roche and Edward Percy Hayes. He later changed his name to Edward Percy Hayes.
He married Edith Victoria Purchase on 17 August 1912. Sadly they had no children.
Edward enlisted in Brisbane in 1915, he was 28years and 9 months old at the time. According to records, he was 5ft 1 3/4 inches with a dark complexion, brown eyes and black hair. He did see all his action in France. He was wounded several times between 1915 and 1918, including being shot in the ankle, the shoulder and being gassed.
Private Edward Percy Hayes was killed by machine gun fire at the battle of Le Verguier on 18 September 1918, just 55 days before the armistice was signed. He was 30 years old and was buried by his comrades in the fields near Villeret. He was later re-interred at Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in 1920.
Edward was the husband of my 1st cousin, 3 x removed, Edith Victoria Purchase and I am very proud to have found such a brave and selfless man in my family history and wanted to ensure his story would live on.
Submitted 13 April 2018 by Tracey Sullivan
Biography contributed by Tracey Sullivan
Edward Percy Hayes is the only child of Mary Jane De Roche and Edward James Hayes. He was born at Kangaroo Point, Brisbane on 5 November 1887. He later changed his name to Edward.
Edward's occupation is listed as machinist when married Edith Victoria Purchase on 17 August 1912 at the age of 24. Sadly they had no children. Edith remarried in 1926, but passed away one month later at the age of 35.
Edward enlisted at the age of 27 years and 9 months, not 25yrs and 7mths as recorded. Edward was only 5ft 1 3/4 inches tall, this was below the 5ft 2in height required for enlistment in 1915, although with 33% of volunteers being rejected, he was obviously considered fit and healthy enough to fight.
Edward saw most action in France. He was wounded several times and spent several stints in hospitals in France and England. In March 1918 he spent 17 days in hospital in England after being gassed.
Private Hayes will killed in the Battle of Le Verguier on 18 September 1918, just 55 days shy of the armistice, by machine gun fire. He was buried by his comrades in the fields of battle near Vassiles. He was later re-interred at the Jeancourt Communal Cemetery Extension in 1920. He is buried in Plot 6, Row F, Grave C.
He was awarded The Military Medal For Bravery in 1917.
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