William Hayes Ww1

[andyhayes]

Hi

I am looking for info relating to William Hayes born in Middlesbrough in 1893, I have found a couple of medal records but unsure if they are for the right person as there isn’t an address.

I have a picture and he may have been a pioneer.

Anybody able to help narrow it down?


Mother’s name was Ada and they lived at 19 Adam Street, Middlesbrough.

Cheers a
Andy

[CaroleW]

The Medal Record Index (MRI) does not show ages or addresses.

Unfortunately over 60% of WW1 service records were burnt during the WW2 blitz.

[andyhayes]

Thanks, any way of finding out?

[CaroleW]

If you don't know his service number or a definite regiment it could be difficult

Here's the link to Ancestry's surviving WW1 service records

www.rootschat.com/links/01u2u/

I would suggest you post the picture you have to try & get a positive ID on his uniform. It may help to narrow it down

https://www.rootschat.com/forum/armed-forces/

[J.R.Ellam]

If you have his address you could try the absent voters registers some have the regiment & service number but most don't

[ShaunJ]

He's in the voters lists for 1918 and 1919 at 19 Adam Street so not absent. Per the censuses he was in a reserved occupation (iron and steel production) so he may not have served in the armed forces.

[andyhayes]

Thanks everyone, who is I listed at 19 Adam Street?

William is my Grandads Brother, my Grandad being Albert Henry Hayes

[andyhayes]

This is an image I have, it isnt great though as it does not show a regimental badge.  I have another image wherehe has a chevron on the lower left arm

[Andy J2022]

The chevron on his lower arm is a good conduct badge, meaning that at the point the photo was taken he had served for at least 2 years. The badge on his collar signifies he was in a pioneer battalion. This probably means that he was initially in an infantry battalion which was converted to a pioneer battalion at a later stage, or that he had been wounded or medically downgraded and thus no longer classed as fit to fight, but was fit enough for manual labouring tasks.