Name
William John Hailey
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
15/09/1916
35
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
20969
Bedfordshire Regiment
8th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
THIEPVAL MEMORIAL
Pier and Face 2 C.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial,
Holy Saviour Church War Memorial, Radcliffe Rd., Hitchin,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin,
St Mary's Church Roll of Honour, Hitchin,
St Faith’s Church Memorial, Walsworth
Pre War
He was the son of George Hailey. He was married to Rose Anne Eliza Hailey (later Arnold) of 32, Orchard Road, Walsworth and he had three children.
Before joining the army he was employed by P.W. & P. Franklin of Letchworth and later by Messrs Jennyn & Perry. He was born in Hastings, lived at Walsworth and, in July 1915, enlisted in Bedford.
Wartime Service
William was allocated Regimental Number 20969. He was with the 8th Battalion and was killed in action in France.
The 8th Battalion attacked a strongpoint known as the ‘Quadrilateral’ opposite Ginchy and Bouleaux Wood on the 15th September 1916. Of the tanks that were supposed to have been in advance of the infantry, only one appeared and that immediately stuck in the mud. In the attack they were assisted by the Heavy Section of the Machinegun Corps. Zero hour was 6.20am ad they attacked in three assault waves. Quadrilateral on the left flank with ‘B’ Company attacking the trench leading to it. At 6.00am heavy artillery opened a slow barrage on the line Morval to Les Boeufs. At zero hour the barrage became more intense but was cut short leading to numerous casualties. At 6.00pm they were relieved and put into Brigade Reserve. The attack had failed and the casualties were numbered in hundreds.
He has no known grave, but is remembered on Pier and Face 2C of the Thiepval Memorial to the Missing on Face 2C in France.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
