Name
John William Mayes
23 May 1893
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/04/1917
23
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
R/14032
King's Royal Rifle Corps
10th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LEBUCQUIERE COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
II.E.35
France
Headstone Inscription
None
UK & Other Memorials
Welwyn Village Memorial, St Mary the Virgin Roll of Honour, Welwyn, Welwyn Scouts Memorial
Pre War
John William Mayes was born on 23 May 1893, the third son of Arthur and Cecilia Mayes (nee Pepper) and was baptised in St. Mary’s Church, Welwyn on 24 June 1893 at the same time as his brothers Walter and Arthur.
The family lived in Prospect Place, Welwyn, with five sons and two daughters being born between 1887 and 1901. Arthur Abel Mayes, originally from Aldersgate in London was a Life Assurance Agent married to Cecilia, also born in London.
John William was a journeyman basket maker for Mary Bullard, a widow and basket maker, and was living at her house in Park Hill, Welwyn on the 1911 Census. He was also involved with the Welwyn Scouts, becoming Assistant Scoutmaster in 1913. The same year, at a County Rally held in Kimpton, 22 Welwyn Scouts attended with John William and were commended, perhaps unsurprisingly, for the baskets they made.
Wartime Service
John William Mayes tried to enlist at the out break of war but only in 1915 and went to France with 6th King’s Royal Rifle Corps in November 1915. He received a severe wound to the neck at Guillemont on the Somme in September 1916.
He returned to France in March 1917, being posted to 10 Battalion, KRRC. At the beginning of April 1917 the 10th and 12th Battalions saw action at Metz en Couture. The two Battalions lost over 300 men including John William Mayes, who was wounded on 4 April and died the next day. He is buried in Lebucquiere Communal Cemetery Extension, France.
A memorial service for John, along with others from the village. was held in the church on 2 May 1917. At the service the Union Flag was carried up the aisle by Corporal Henry Quinton Bullard, who just months before had lost his own son on the Somme.
Additional Information
His parents jointly received a war gratuity of £8 and pay owing of £11 5s 6d. Pension cards exist but give no indication of the amount of pension received.
Brother to Vivian Charles Mayes who died on 4 April 1917, and Alfred Leonard Mayes who died on 28 June 1917. They are also named on the Welwyn Memorials.
N.B. On some records John William is incorrectly listed as William Arthur.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Paul Jiggens, Welwyn and District History Society - www.welwynww1.co.uk, Brenda Palmer
