Private John Hayward
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Private 3525437 John Thomas Hayward.
Manchester Regiment.
Died 24th May, 1940
Aged 31.
Son of George and Sarah Ellen Hayward. Husband of Doris Hayward of Cockbrook, Ashton Under Lyme, Lancashire.
Inscription - Loved in life and living yet in the hearts of those who never forget.
Manchester Regiment.
Died 24th May, 1940
Aged 31.
Son of George and Sarah Ellen Hayward. Husband of Doris Hayward of Cockbrook, Ashton Under Lyme, Lancashire.
Inscription - Loved in life and living yet in the hearts of those who never forget.
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NOTE: We have heard from John's nephew Denis Hayward who has told us that a Madam Lee, who was 15 at the time , said she had buried Hayward under a tree. Denis was also advised by a local researcher that his uncle was one of the first to leave the barn and was shot. Denis realises the date on the headstone is 24th May but believes this was because the date was the last time he was seen by his Manchester Regiment colleagues.
John Head writes: "This appears to stack up - we know from our extensive dealings with The Royal Scots that the 'Date of Death' is, on many occasions, arbitrary. Further, Richard Lane writes in respect of 25th May - 'Later that morning the Pioneers received some support from a unit of machine-gunners. Commanded by Sergeant Kelly, the remains of B and D companies of the Manchester Regiment numbering four machine guns reported to Battalion HQ'.
Yes Hayward could have been killed away from Le Paradis and buried there later but Richard Lane's words which I believe came from Captain Long's diary note does add support to Denis Hayward's story.
John Head writes: "This appears to stack up - we know from our extensive dealings with The Royal Scots that the 'Date of Death' is, on many occasions, arbitrary. Further, Richard Lane writes in respect of 25th May - 'Later that morning the Pioneers received some support from a unit of machine-gunners. Commanded by Sergeant Kelly, the remains of B and D companies of the Manchester Regiment numbering four machine guns reported to Battalion HQ'.
Yes Hayward could have been killed away from Le Paradis and buried there later but Richard Lane's words which I believe came from Captain Long's diary note does add support to Denis Hayward's story.