My Grandad

The following is an account of my grandfather's service record in the Welsh Guards. Given that his regimental number was 789, he presumably was one of the first civilians to enlist in the Welsh Guards, at the age of 34, leaving behind a wife and six children. I know that 500 Welsh men were transferred from the existing Guards regiments and also a further 200 were transferred from the existing Welsh regiments. Does anyone know the name of the first civilian to enlist in the Welsh Guards? My grandfather was also known to be batman to Captain F Thornhill Barlow, M.M.

The Regiment was formed on the 26 February 1915. On the 13 March 1915, at the age of 34, William Haywood enlisted at Bargoed into the Welsh Guards.

On the day of enlisting he was sent to Caterham for Basic Training for the next 157 days.

He was then transferred to the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards and was shipped off to France on 17 August 1915.

On 27 September at midday orders were received that the Brigade would march to Loos, but they were soon involved in the battle on their arrival.

The 16 March saw the Battalion moved by train to Ypres, were again they saw action right up until July 1916, after the Battle of Ypres they received orders to march to the Somme.

The 10 October saw them back in action again, this being the Third Battle of Ypres. It was however in this Third Battle that the casualties totalled to 451. Amongst the casualties was 789 Private William Haywood who received a gun shot wound to the head.

789 Private William Haywood returned to Great Britain on 2 November 1917 due to his injuries and was discharged on 14 December 1918 - surplus to military requirements, having suffered impairment since entry into the service.

He received the following medals in April 1921:

1914-15 Star
British War Medal
Victory Medal

© Copyright of content contributed to this Archive rests with the author. Find out how you can use this.