Photo: Brian Chandler
J.E. Hayles
Royal Artillery
25th January 1941, age 26.
Ever in the thoughts
of his loving wife
and chidren (sic)
John Edwin Hayles was born in Bedlington, the son of Alice Mabel and the late Private Henry Hayles. He was the husband of Monica (nee Mason), whom he married at Newcastle upon Tyne in the first quarter of 1934. John was attested for the Royal Artillery in 1939 and served with the 111th Field Regiment. He died as the result of an accident and is listed on the Army Roll of Honour, 1939-1945.
The Newcastle Evening Chronicle Friday, 07/02/1941 describes the accident
Newcastle soldier shot: man for trial.
The shooting of a Newcastle soldier in a barrack room was described at Woodbridge, Surrey, yesterday when Gunner Eric Sutton of Bolton, was sent for trial, charged with killing and slaying Gunner John Edwin Hayles; address was given as Ramshaw Street, Elswick, Newcastle. Mr Gordon Clark, prosecuting, said that Sutton, after visiting an inn with two other gunners had to be put to bed.
Two other soldiers in the barrack room heard a loud report and a cry of pain from Hayles. They found a rifle lying across Sutton’s knee.
“Shooting not deliberate” – A bullet had penetrated the abdomen of Hayles, who died without recovering consciousness.
Sutton had no grudge against Hayles, said Mr Clark and there was nothing to suggest anything deliberate about the shooting.
Note: At the eventual trial Gunner Sutton pleaded not guilty to the killing. The coroner described the injury as a gunshot wound to the back of Hayles as he lay asleep, facing away from Sutton. It was the breaking up with his girlfriend that led to Sutton drinking heavily and having to be brought back to the barracks in a wagon. Sutton was eventually acquitted.
Acknowledgements: Ron Carson
The mis-spelling of the word "children" has been reported to CWGC who will make the correction in due course.
John Edwin Hayles's name does not appear on any local war memorial.
