Pte 49076 Samuel Hayes

• Age: 19
• From: Liverpool
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• K.I.A Wednesday 13th December 1916
• Commemorated at: Berles Position Military Cemetery
  Panel Ref: C.2

Samuel was born in Liverpool on the 3rd April 1897 the son of Samuel Hayes and his wife Alice (née Doubleday) who were married 24th October 1894 at St Nathaniel’s Church, Edge Hill, Liverpool. Samuel snr was a 27 year old bricklayer of 49 Oliver St, father Samuel a carter, whilst Alice was aged 30 of 157 Falkner St, father a watchmaker. 

He was baptised on the 20th May 1897 also at St Nathaniel’s Church, his father a general contractor of 144 Falkner St. 

He was educated at Liverpool College for Boys and Liverpool Collegiate School.

On the 1901 Census the family, all born in Liverpool, are living at 144 Falkner Street.

The father Samuel is aged 33, a contractor, mother Alice is aged 36, with no occupation listed and they have three children, Isobel 5, Samuel 3 and Alice 1. They also have two servants. 

His sister Alice sadly died aged 10 in 1909. 

The 1911 Census shows the family living at 146 Falkner St, Liverpool.

The father Samuel is aged 44, born 1867 and is a General Contractor and was born in Liverpool. His wife Alice is aged 46, born 1865 in Liverpool as were all of their siblings. They had been married for sixteen years and had four children of which one had died. Isabel aged 15 born 1896, Samuel aged 14, born 1897 and Margaret aged 8, born 1903. Also living at the property is a niece by the name of Alice Cropper aged 5, born 1906 and a domestic servant named Alice Robinson aged 46, born 1865 in Ripon.

His mother died aged 51 on the 7th October 1915 whilst in Deganwy, Conway. She was buried on the 11th October at Toxteth Cemetery. 

Probate 1916:- 

HAYES - Alice of 146 Falkner Street Liverpool (wife of Samuel Hayes) died 7 October 1915 at Glan-Y-Don, Deganwy, Carnarvonshire Probate Liverpool 27 March to the said Samuel Hayes general contractor and Mary Anne Doubleday spinster. Effects £1995 3s 10d. 

He enlisted in Liverpool and was serving with the 20th Battalion, The King's Liverpool Regiment as Private 49076 when he was killed in action on 13th December 1916 aged 19. 

Samuel now rests at Berles Position Military Cemetery in France at C.2. His headstone which does not feature a cross bears the epitaph:

"FAITHFUL EVEN UNTO DEATH". 

The village of Berles-au-Bois remained in British hands from the summer of 1915, when it was taken over from French troops, until the end of the War; but it suffered at times from severe shelling.

The village was later "adopted" by the County Borough of Wolverhampton.

Berles Position Military Cemetery was begun by the 46th (North Midland) Division in July, 1916, and used (largely by the same Division) until February, 1917. It lies in a long dip; and it was known also as The Ravine Cemetery and as Nobs Walk Cemetery.

There are now over 50, 1914-18 war casualties commemorated in this site. Of these, a small number are unidentified.

The cemetery covers an area of 379 square metres and is enclosed by a low rubble wall.

Samuel’s death was reported in the Liverpool Echo on 22nd December 1916

- DEATHS – Killed in Action –

HAYES – Dec 13 – Samuel Hayes (Sammy) the beloved son of Samuel Hayes S.V. and of the late Alice Hayes – 146 Falkner Street. The same announcement was also published 23rd and 26th December 1916.

Liverpool Evening Express - Thursday 13 December 1917 

ROLL OF HONOUR. 

HAYES – In sad but loving memory of Sammy, aged 19 years, K.L.R., the only son of Samuel Hayes S.V., and the late Alice Hayes, in action, Dec. 13, 1916. (Duty nobly done.) - His loving father and sisters. 

The post-nominal “S.V.” by his father’s name means “Select Vestry” as he was in post on the Poor Law Authority of Liverpool. 

Liverpool Echo - Thursday 30 May 1918 

POOR LAW OFFICIALS' PAY.  

Regarding the majority vote of the Select Vestry (the Poor Law Authority for the central area of Liverpool) in favour of the proposition to increase the salaries of some officials on higher grade salaries, Mr. Samuel Hayes, member of the Vestry, intends to communicate with the Local Government Board against the increases. 

Soldiers Effects to father Samuel, Army pay £5 7s 1d, War Gratuity of £3 to father Samuel, no Pension record found. 

Samuel is also commemorated on the St Nathaniel's C. of E. Church Memorial, Toxteth, now housed at St Bride's Church. It reads:- 

In dear memory of  

ALICE,  

The beloved daughter of Samuel and Alice Hayes,  

Who died 19th of October 1909 aged 10 years.  

“Jesus called a little child unto Him”  

ALICE,  

The beloved wife of Samuel Hayes,  

who died 7th October 1915 aged 51 years.  

“Waiting for the coming of the Lord.”  

also SAMUEL HAYES  

Of the 20th Kings Liverpool (Pals), 

The beloved and only son of the above  

Who was killed in action at Arras, France,  

13 December 1916, aged 20 years.  

“Faithful Until Death”  

also of the above Samuel Hayes  

who died 17th April 1931, aged 63 years  

also ISABEL BANNISTER  

Daughter of the above Samuel and Alice Hayes, 

who died 8th March 1934, aged 38 years. 

On the 1921 Census at Falkner Street his father is aged 54, a sanitary engineer, Isobel is 25 and Margaret 18. He died aged 63 in 1931 and was buried on the 21st April at Toxteth Cemetery, his address “Windsor”, Station Rd, Deganwy.  

We currently have no further information on Samuel Hayes. If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.