8th Battalion Rifle Brigade

[linjames]

I have a Walter John Hayward  born 1885 - 1916.  Served in the 8th Battalion Rifles as a Sergeant No, 508.  Died of injuries on the 26 August 1916, caused while fighting on the 24 August 1916 in Derville Wood.  On the 29th August eight members of his Regiment were awarded the Military Medal.  His was awarded his MM posthumous.

 

Can anyone tell me how he earned his medal.  He is gazetted as Sergeant N Hayward in the London Gazette dated the 27th October 1916.

 

Fran

[sotonmate]

There might be a citation for the 8 MMs in the War Diary here:

http://discovery.nationalarchives.gov.uk/details/r/C7352729

[Langdon]

The War diary has an entry on 29th October naming Sgt Hayward and others as having been awarded the MM's and referring to the Gazette of the 27th in the margin, but unlike an earlier entry ref. MM awards it doesn't refer to a specific action or date. As sotonmate says there may be a citation elsewhere in the diary. I've had a brief look at the period from mid-July to September (when the 14th Division/41st Brigade took part in the Battle of Delville Wood) but didn't see anything..

 

Mike

[stiletto_33853]

No mention of any particular action but will check what i have for him and see if we can dig out anything for others awarded the MM for the same date. However he was previously in the 4th Rifle Brigade returning home in March 1915 going overseas with the 4th RB in late 1914.

 

Andy