Thank you to Jane Anthony for the following research.
Arthur Hayler was the eldest son of Alfred and Emma Hayler. Alfred worked at the lime works in Betchworth and the family lived at Brockham Pits. Emma had originally come from Blindley Heath, and in the 1901 census Emma, Arthur and his sister were staying with their grandparents there.
By 1911 the family had expanded to four children and 15 year old Arthur was employed as a messenger.
Some time between the 1911 census and March 1914 he signed on in the regular army. In his service record, when he signed on at Reigate on 7th September 1914, he states that although was not a member of any of the forces, he had bought himself out in March 1914 but would continue as a reserve.
The service battalion of the Queens Own Royal West Kent Regiment was formed on 5th September 1914 as part of Kitcheners Army. They were deployed to France in July 1915.
REIGATE LAD DIES OF WOUNDS
Much sympathy will be felt with Mr and Mrs Alfred Hayler of 10, St Mark Street, Reigate, in the sad loss that has befallen them in the death of their son, Pte. A. W. Hayler, who died of wounds received in action. Pte Hayler was in the Royal West Kent Regiment and his father had a received a letter from Sec. Lieut D. V. M. Woodhouse, couched in the following terms: “You will have heard by the time that this letter reaches you the sad news that your son 2660 Pte. A. W. Hayler has died of his wounds. I thought perhaps you would like to hear from me, his officer, how much we appreciated his fine courage, and greatly we shall miss him. He was always a good worker, though, as I think, he was not very strong; the hard life out here was almost too much for him. But he never grumbled, and always did his best. The country has lost in him a very good soldier. He was hit by a piece of shell last evening (March 20th), and died this morning. He bore the pain with splendid courage, but as I got him a dose of opium I don’t think he felt it more than a few minutes. Had he lived he would have suffered a great deal, so perhaps it was better that he should die as he did doing his duty bravely for his country. Please accept my very deepest sympathy in your sad loss.”
Arthur Hayler died of his wounds on 21st March 1916 aged about 20. He was buried at Chippilly Cemetery where there was a casualty clearing station nearby. Chippilly is near both Albert and Arras therefore it is likely that he was wounded at one of these.
| Born | Brockham, Surrey | |
| Lived | Reigate, Surrey | |
| Son of | Alfred and Emma Hayler | |
| Enlisted | Reigate, Surrey | |
| Regiment | 7th Battalion, The Queen’s Own Royal West Kent Regiment | |
| Number | G/2660 | |
| Date of Death | 21st March, 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Died of Wounds | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Cemetery | Chippily Communal Cemetery, Somme, France |
