Pte
William Leslie Hayes

Information about birth

Year of birth:
1894
Place of birth:
Brisbane, Queensland, Australia

General information

Profession:
Jeweller

Army information

Country:
Australia
Force:
Australian Imperial Force
Rank:
Private
Service number:
3790
Enlistment place:
Rockhampton, Queensland, Australia
Units:
 —  Australian Infantry, 49th Bn.  (Last known unit)

Information about death

Date of death:
12/10/1917
Place of death:
Gasometer, Zonnebeke, Belgium
Cause of death:
Killed in action (K.I.A.)
Age:
23

Memorial

Distinctions and medals 3

Points of interest 3

#1 Place of birth
#2 Enlistment place
#3 ‘Place of death’

My story

On 12 October 1917, during the disastrous First Battle of Passchendaele, the 49th Battalion was in close support near Broodseinde. While in support, four young Australians were killed, when a shell hit their dug-out. The dug-out, near a gasometer on the road going towards, Broodseinde collapsed, burying the four alive. Arthur Ashton, 32, William Hayes, 23, Arthur James, 25 and Arthur Siddle, 21 are remembered on the Menin Gate Memorial.

Files 1