Military History

Hayward enlisted as John Ward into 44th Bn. C Coy
Embarked Fremantle per HMAT ‘Suevic’ 6.6.1916 for UK.
Roll Rank Private.
Roll Unit 31st Bn. 11th Infantry Bde. AIF.
Hayward disembarked at Plymouth with the 11th Bde. 21.7.1916. He marched in to the 8th Training Bn. Codford. He was reported AWOL from Codford 21.9.1916 for 10 days. Hayward transferred to the 31st Bn. Reinf. 4.11.1916. He proceeded overseas to France per ‘Golden Eagle’ with the 31st Bn. Reinf. 4.11.1916. Hayward was taken on strength in the field with the 31st Bn. 11.12.1916. He was accidentally wounded in training at Rainsville with a bomb wound to his left thumb, with the live grenade practice 11.1.1917. Hayward was transferred to the NZ Field Stationary Hospital. He was discharged to duty 10.2.1917. Hayward was hospitalised almost 2 weeks later 24.2.1917, with abrasions to his feet. He rejoined his unit 19.3.1917. Three months later he was admitted to a rest station with problems from an ‘old wound’ 2.6.1917. He was admitted to Hospital 6.6.1917 and discharged to duty 10.6.1917. Hayward marched out to his Unit 31.7.1917. He rejoined the 31st Bn. 1.8.1917 and was than reported AWOL 21.917-26.9.1917. The 31st Bn. played a major role in the Battle of Polygon Wood, fought in the Ypres Sector of Belgium in late September 1917. (AWM 31st Bn. ) Hayward was reported missing in action 27.9.1917. In November, the reported details were changed to KIA at Polygon Wood.(Reported West Australian Newspapers 14.11.1917). Hayward was buried in vicinity of Polygon Wood. There is no record of his body being recovered. He is commemorated at Menin Gate Memorial, Ypres, West Vlaanderen, Flanders, Belgium.
Final Rank Private, 31st Bn. AIF.
Medical Condition Dec’d, KIA.
Awards and Medals British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Notes His obituary in the West Australian Newspaper read
‘Dearly loved adopted son of Mr and Mrs George Davies, Terrace Road, Guildford – inserted by his loving mother, father, sisters Evelyn and Phyllis and brothers Percy and Reg on active service.’     (West Australian Newspaper 14.12.1917 p 35)

Hayward’s alias was discovered after his death. His file contains confusing information, whereby another soldier by the name of John Ward shared the same regimental number and name as Hayward’s alias. It is possible that these swapping of identities may have been deliberate. Hayward is commemorated in Guildford and at St Matthew’s at his step- parents request, as this was the town in which they resided for many years.
Photos HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph source AWM A03216
             Attack on Polygon Wood 1917. Postcard by Colart Studio 1921, image courtesy AWM P0538.006
             Menin Gate War Memorial 1938. Secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission. Photograph source AWM H16916
     

Information Source
AWM  A03216 HMAT 'Suevic'. Photographer unknown, photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  P0538.006. Attack on Polygon Wood 1917. Postcard by Colart Studio 1921, image sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM  H16916. Menin Gate War Memorial 1938. Secured by Captain James Murphy of the British War Graves Commission. Photograph sourced from the Pictorial Collection of the Australian War Memorial
AWM Embarkation Rolls- John Ward
AWM Roll of Honour – John Ward
AWM Red Cross Files -John Ward
NAA: B2455, Hayward J
St. Matthew’s Honour Roll –fallen
West Australian Newspaper

47 Terrace Road, Guildford. WA.
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Associated Images