Alex Hayes

The birth of Alexander Hayes was registered in Warrington, Lancashire, in 1892 (O/N/D). However, documents variously use the first name: Alex, Alec and Alick as well as Alexander. Alexander had an older brother, John William, and they were the two sons of John William Hayes by his first wife who has not yet been identified. Their father, John William, was born in Nottingham; his eldest son John William, was born in Somercotes, Derbyshire, and Alexander in Lancashire. Their father remarried and the marriage record suggests it was in Nottingham in 1900 (O/N/D) to Annie May H Hold, known as May. May and John William were to have four children; Annie May (May), Elizabeth, Albert and Ernest, all of whom were born in Nottingham. In 1901 John William (45), a plasterer's labourer, and his wife May (20) were living at 2 Alvey's Yard, Fisher Gate, Nottingham, with John's sons by his first marriage, John (10) and Alex (8), and their daughter Annie (3 months). Also in the household was John's widowed mother, Elizabeth (57, b. Somercotes), his uncle, Richard Hayes (52, b. Eastwood), a coal miner/hewer, and his aunt, Josephine Hayes (46, b. Somercotes). John (45), now a brass foundry labourer, and May (30), a blouse machinist working from home, were stil living at 2 Alvey's Yard in 1911. The six children were still at home; John (20), a labourer (roadworks), and Alexander (18), a lace dipper, with their four half-brothers and half-sisters; May (10), Elizabeth (8), Albert (6) and Ernest (4). Alexander married Kathleen (Kitty) P Frampton in 1914 (marriage registered O/N/D Nottingham). They lived at 2 Alvey's Yard but were at 1 Colton Terrace, Bentinck Street, Nottingham, at the time of Alex's death. However, in April 1916 when Alex's personal possessions were returned to his widow her address was again 2 Alvey's Yard, Fisher Gate. Kathleen married Thomas W Palethorpe in 1920 (marriage registered J/F/M Nottingham); they lived at 29 Herbert Street, Peas Hill Road, Nottingham. Alex's older brother John William served in the Grenadier Guards (16096 Sergeant) and was also killed at Loos, on 8 October 1915 (Loos Memorial).

In 1911 Alex Hayes was employed as a lace dipper.

Alexander enlisted on a Territorial Force engagement in January 1911 when he was 18years 4months old. He volunteered for service and on 25 February 1915 embarked Southampton for France arriving in theatre the same day. His original grave was given on the Army casualty form at map reference Sheet 36 Sq. A.28.c.8.4. However, his grave was lost and he is now commemorated on the Loos Memorial. He qualified for the 1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal.

Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged) 8 November 1915: 'HAYES, killed in action October 8th, Sergeant J Hayes, 3rd Grenadier Guards, aged 25(?), and Private A Hayes, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, killed in action October 13th aged 23 years, sons of JW and AM Hayes of 2 Alvey’s Yard, Fisher Gate.' Nottingham Evening Post notice (abridged), 9 November 1915: 'Hayes. Killed in action October 13th, Private A Hayes, 1/7th Sherwood Foresters, age 23. Husband of Kitty Hayes, 1 Colton Terrace, Bentinck Street, late Alvey's Yard, Fisher Gate.' His widow was awarded a pension of 13/9d a week from 28 January 1918. Alex's only recorded possession was a disc which was probably returned to his widow in April 1916.