Alfred Edward HAYWOOD

S/40043, Private. b. 1897, Gomersal d. Tue. 17th October 1916 (aged 19).

Alfred was born at Gomersal and moved to Clayton with his parents and brothers, Philp, Joe and John. He had two sisters Emily and Lillian.

All the brothers joined up. Alfred enlisted into the 2nd Seaforth Highlanders virtually the day war broke out (at this point he had only just turned 17) and was given the low service number of 5223. Philip was sent to another Highland Regiment and Joe and John being placed in English Regiments.

Within the village Alfred was well known for two reasons, mainly as a musician as he was the cornet soloist for Clayton Silver Prize Band, but also because he worked with other Claytonians in Messrs. Lupin & Place, Loom Makers. He lived with his parents, Philip and Ellen Haywood at 20, Bradford Road.

Alfred was killed during the Somme campaign like so many other men from the district, but at a point when the casualties were becoming (slightly) lighter. Around this time the campaign had slowed to a gradual halt, with the British high command sending over troops sporadically in the hope of catching the German’s unprepared. Unfortunately, this never really happened and more losses were incurred to the Allies.

At the time of his death, Alfred’s parents were extremely concerned for all of their sons, as they had just learned that Philip was in hospital wounded and Joe had been posted to Egypt. The news that Alfred was missing in action probably came as a crushing blow on top of everything else. Alfred is commemorated on the THIEPVAL MEMORIAL Pier and Face 15 C.

HAYWOOD, Philip

40279, Private. b. ? d. 31st July 1917

Philip recovered and went back to the front line – seven months later he was wounded again but this time died of these wounds on 31st July 1917 during the Third Battle of Ypres.

Philip is remembered on the Victoria Park memorial but not in Clayton Church. He served in the Royal Scots Fusiliers and also the 7th Kings Own Scottish Borderers and is commemorated on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Joe and John Haywood returned home to Clayton surviving the war.