Albert John Hayes, Private
1888-1917
A short but full lifeAlbert John 'Abbie' Hayes was born to William and Mary Hayes 27 April 1888 at Pyalong in Victoria.
When Abbie was born, he had three big brothers - (William) Joe, (David) Walter and (James) Billy. He also had two big sisters - (Charlotte) Lizzie and (Mary) Elsie. Two years later, Maria came along, followed by May, Thomas and (Alice) Myrtle. Thus William and Mary had a family of ten children, with nine reaching adulthood. When Abbie was eight years old and at school, May had her accident. Little May Victoria died at age three. Someone was sent to the school to collect all the siblings. May had been burnt to death in an accident out in the paddocks while the men were burning stubble. |
Abbie went to the Great War with his brother Joe and cousins and friends but he didn't come home. He died during the Battle of Broodseinde in Belgium, not far from the French border. He was in 7th Battalion, A.I.F with service No. 5101.
Abbie was commemorated at the The Ypres (Menin Gate) Memorial (Panel 7), Belgium as there was no grave. (Ieper is the modern Belgium name for the German spelt Ypres.) Read more about his WW1 experiences by clicking on the button to the right. |