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Private Walford James Parkinson Hayes

 

Walford James Parkinson Hayes was born on 1 October 1898 at 84 Crown Street, Liverpool, the second or third of three children of Irish-born tobacco dealer William Hayes and his wife Frances. At the time of the 1911 Census he was living with his parents and surviving sibling at Fortlea, Enniskillen East, County Fermanagh, his father working as a commercial traveller for the Imperial Tobacco Company.

Hayes enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 27 May and 29 July 1916 (regimental number between 2193 and 2197 or 2200 and 2205 – later Corps of Hussars No.71711). He trained at the reserve depot at Antrim and it is probable that he served with the regiment in France in 1916 or 1917.

In January 1918 he embarked for Egypt with a draft of North Irish Horsemen from the Antrim camp. There he was attached to the 1/1st Nottinghamshire Yeomanry (Sherwood Rangers), serving with that regiment in the Palestine campaign.

Hayes was still serving as late as December 1919.

Following his discharge he returned to Liverpool where, in mid-1923, he married Dinah Annie Dawson. On 18 October that year the couple emigrated to Australia, living in Brisbane then Sydney, Hayes working at various times as a clerk, machinist and salesman.

Hayes enlisted in the Volunteer Defence Corps at Paddington, Sydney, on 15 August 1942 (No.N410594). He gave his occupation as 'kitchenman' and his address as 69 Roslyn Gardens, Elizabeth Bay. He was discharged as medically unfit 71 days later. He died on 16 March 1956 and was buried in Rookwood General Cemetery, Sydney.