John William Hayward

Gunner John William Hayward – Royal Artillery, 65 Battery, 34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment

Not all the service personnel buried at St. Peter’s Church, Cockett, died in action. One such case is that of John William Hayward, whose life was tragically cut short while serving in the Royal Artillery.

Early Life

William Hayward was born in 1909 in Swansea, the son of William Henry Hayward and Kathleen Osborne, who were married in 1906.

1911 Census

According to the 1911 Census, William, aged 2, and his sister Eileen (4), were living with their grandmother, Norah Osborne, at 36a Brynmelin Street, Swansea. Norah, aged 63, was a widowed Coal Seller originally from Ireland. Also living in the household were her daughter Bridget (26), grandson Arthur J. (14), her widowed sister Johanna Maddin (57), and her widowed sister-in-law Sarah Osborne (66).

Family Life

1939 Register 

By the time of the 1939 Register, William, recorded as John William Hayward, was living at 68 Teilo Crescent, Swansea. He was employed as a General Labourer. Residing with him were his wife, Nellie M. Hayward, and their two daughters, Hazel and Noreen. The register also notes that John had enlisted for military service.

Military Service

John William Hayward enlisted as a Gunner in the Royal Artillery, serving with 65 Battery, 34 Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment. The regiment formed part of Britain’s Anti-Aircraft Command, responsible for defending the nation’s cities, ports, and industrial centres from German air attack.

In 1940, the 34^th Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment was assigned to the Swansea and Cardiff Anti-Aircraft Defence Zone, established to protect the South Wales industrial belt, including Swansea’s docks, oil storage facilities, and steelworks. 65 Battery was based in Clydach, near Swansea, from where it maintained local defensive operations and trained gun crews for deployment.

Death

South Wales Evening Post 

 South Wales Daily Post

South Wales Daily Post

Gunner John William Hayward died on 11^th October 1940, aged 31. While stationed with his unit in Clydach, he was shot and killed during a tragic incident involving a fellow soldier. The South Wales Evening Post reported the following day that Sergeant Hugh Hughes, of the same regiment, had shot John through the chin, killing him instantly, following a quarrel. Sergeant Hughes was subsequently arrested.

The South Wales Daily Post of 18^th October 1940 reported on John’s funeral at St. Peter’s Church, Swansea. A later article, published on 13^th December 1940, detailed the outcome of the trial at Swansea Assizes, where Sergeant Hugh Hughes was found not guilty of the murder of John William Hayward.

Burial

John William Hayward
St. Peter's church
credit - findagrave

Gunner John William Hayward was buried at St. Peter’s Church, Cockett, Swansea.

Legacy

Although he did not die in combat, John William Hayward’s death serves as a sobering reminder of the personal tragedies that occurred among service personnel during wartime. His grave at St. Peter’s stands among those of fellow servicemen who gave their lives in many different circumstances during the Second World War.