GRID REF: NY50757 57686 Postcode CA8 9HR
St Mary Magdalene Churchyard, Hayton
The War Memorial of the Parish of Hayton stands in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene in the village of Hayton It is a Celtic style cross of sandstone from Shank quarry.
The inscription advises us: In Ever Living Remembrance of these who gave their lives in the Great War 1914-1918. "So they passed over, and all the trumpets sounded for them on the other side."
Within the Church are two Rolls of Honour, one for each of the World Wars.
Of the fifty-nine named on the Roll who served in the Great War, seventeen gave their lives. All but two of the fatalities lie in foreign fields. These two, severely wounded, were brought home to die. Their graves are here in this small country churchyard.
The Fallen of the Great War are:-
Captain Edward Joseph Lamb, who was reported Killed in Action on 1st Nov 1914 while on attachment to 2nd Kings Own Yorkshire Light Infantry from 3rd Bn Northumberland Fusiliers. He was the 29 year old son of Robert and Helen Lamb, of Hayton House, How Mill, and the husband of Margery. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Menin Gate, panel 8/12.
2nd Lieut Francis Gawan-Taylor died on 9th August 1915 at the age of 22 while serving with 2nd York and Lancaster Regiment. He was the elder son of His Honour Judge H. Gawan-Taylor and Mrs Gawan-Taylor, who lived at Croftlands, Heads Nook. He was a scholar of Rossall School and Sydney Sussex College, Cambridge. His younger brother Norman was killed in 1917. Francis is commemorated at the Menin Gate, panel 36/55.
Lieut Norman Gawan-Taylor, brother of Francis, fell on 24th April 1917 at the age of 23. He was serving with 3rd (attd 8th) Bn York and LancasterRegiment. He was born at Darlington. His grave is in Ziantevoorde British Cemetery, West Vlaanderen, ref III.A.2.
William Bell. We are unsure of which William Bell this is. It is a common local name. It is possible he may be Acting Corporal Bell 13311 of 11th Bn Border Regiment, born in Carlisle, who was reported Killed in Action on 1st July 1916. More information would be appreciated.
Lance Sgt George Straughan was born at Wellington, Bishop Auckland, the 23 year old son of Peter and Jane Straughan, of South Crossing, Wooler, in Northumberland. He lived at How Mill. George was reported Killed in Action on 21st March 1918 while serving with 8th Bn Border Regiment. He is commemorated on Bay 6 of the Arras Memorial to the Missing.
Pte Thomas William Hogg, who was born at Hayton, died at home of wounds on 1st September 1916. He was 22 years old and serving with 11th Bn Border Regiment. Thomas, the son of Joseph and Mary Jane Hogg, of Talkin, is interred here in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene, Hayton. He is also commemorated on the Memorial of the church at Talkin.
Pte Adam Bell was reported Killed in Action on 11th April 1917. He was 31 years old and serving with 1st Bn Gordon Highlanders. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Addenda Panel of the Arras Memorial to the Missing. If you know more about this young man please tell us.
Pte William Hind died in hospital on 15th May 1915 from injuries received while serving with 4th Bn Grenadiers Guards. He was 20 years old and the son of William and Mary Hind, of Hardbank, How Mill. He is interred in the churchyard of St Mary Magdalene, Hayton.
This is the grave - and the grave of his parents - in Hayton churchyard, of Pte William Hind. Please take a moment to visit.
Pte John James Percival died of wounds on 12th July 1917 while in a military hospital and is interred in St Sever Cemetery Extension, Rouen. He was serving with 15th Bn Durham Light Infantry. John was the husband of Kate, of 5 North View, Barmoor, Ryton, Co Durham.
John Stanley Little was declared Missing Presumed Dead on 10th April 1918. He was born at Hayton, the 23 year old son of Jacob and Jane Little, of How Mill, and was serving with 8th Bn Border Regiment. He is commemorated on Ploegsteert Memorial, on panel 6.
Pte Alexander Hogg Biggam, was reported Killed in Action on 1st Oct 1916. He was 32 years old and serving with 2nd Otago Regiment of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Caterpillar Valley (New Zealand) Memorial. Alexander was the son of James and Margaret Biggam, of How Mill, Hayton.
Pte Robert Sarginson Waters died in battle on 10th February 1917 while serving with 11th Bn Border Regiment. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, on Panel/Face 6a/7c. Born at Hayton, he was the son of Robert and Elizabeth Waters, of Low Moor, Edmond Castle, Hayton.
L/Cpl William Jones died of wounds on 10th April 1918. He was 24 years old and serving with 272 Mechanical Transport Coy, Army Service Corps. He is interred in Godewaersvelde British Military Cemetery, grave I.M.32. William was the son of Thomas Fidler and Mary Jones, of Westgarth Cottage, How Mill, Hayton. He was a member of the church choir.
Pte George Jackson 26983 died on 23rd July 1918 while serving with 7/8th Bn King’s Own Scottish Borderers. He is interred in grave I.C.8. Buzancy Military Cemetery. We would like to hear from anyone who can tell us more of this young man.
Pte David Gilston Hardon, born at Maryport, was the 19 year old son of James and Ann Hardon, of Gook Bank, How Mill. He died in battle on 20th Oct 1918 while serving with A Coy 7th Bn (Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Border Regiment. He is interred in Amerval Communal Cemetery Extension, Solesmes, grave A24.
Pte Robert Carr Pelter, before enlisting, worked with his parents Thomas and Mary Pelter on their smallholding at Ash Tree Farm at Talkin. He had been born at South Shields and was married to Selina, of 23 North Parade, Whitley Bay. Robert died at the age of 27 on 12th November 1918, while serving with 1/11th Bn London Regiment, Kings Royal Rifle Corps. He is interred in Cairo War Memorial Cemetery, in grave Q91. He is also commemorated at Talkin Church.
Pte John W. Dobson died in battle on 25th August 1918 while serving with 7th Bn (Westmorland and Cumberland Yeomanry) Border regiment. He was 24 years old, born at Walton,and the son of Mr and Mrs Dobson, of Carlisle. He is interred in Warlencourt British Military Cemetery.
ACCESS The Memorial is located in the Churchyard and accessible at all times. The church is open most days.
