Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of the Honourable Paulyn Francis Cuthbert Abney Rawdon-Hastings, born on the 21st October 1856 in Riccarton, Ayrshire, Scotland, and who was the son of Charles Abney-Hastings and Lady Edith Maud Rawdon-Hastings, 10th Countess of Loudoun, and his wife Lady Maud Rawdon-Hastings, (nee Grimston, married on the 20th December 1881 in St. Michael’s Church, St. Albans, Hertfordshire) born on the 16th June 1857 in St. Albans, and who was the daughter of The Right Honourable James Walter Grimston, 2nd Earl of Verulam. Edward Hugh Rawdon Abney Hastings was born on the 31st August 1895 in Old Park, Ashby de la Zouch, Leicestershire, his siblings were the 12th Countess, Edith Maud Abney Hastings of Loudoun, born on the 13th May 1883, in St. Albans, Hertfordshire, Elizabeth Frances Rawdon Hastings, Phillips, born on the 19th June 1884 at Ashby de la Zouch, Lady Flora Anne Hastings, born on the 12th September 1885, Isabel Jacqueline Abney Hastings, Rostron, born on the 8th August 1887 in Ashby de la Zouch and Paulyn Charles James Reginald Rawdon Hastings, born on the 27th November 1889 in Old Park, Ashby de la Zouch. In March 1901 Edward was residing in the family home at Old Park House, Ashby de la Zouch, together with his father, living on his own means, his mother and siblings, Edith, Elizabeth, Flora and Isabel. Edward’s father died on the 19th October 1907 aged, 50. In April 1911 Edward was absent from the family home at The Manor, Ashby de la Zouch, residing there was his widowed mother Lady Maud, living on private means and his siblings, Elizabeth and Paulyn, living on private means, Edward was a schoolboy and was residing as a boarder at Eton College, Eton, Buckinghamshire.
Edward was educated at Wixenford, Eton and Magdalen College, Oxford. He entered the Royal Military College at Sandhurst in 1914, and was gazetted as 2nd Lieutenant in December. He served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders from the 31st May 1915 and died at No. 14 Stationary Hospital, Wimeroux, Boulogne, France on the 15th September 1915 from enteric contracted while in the trenches. He held the Coronation Medal, George V., as page to his uncle, the Earl of Loudoun. Edward was unmarried. His elder brother Paulyn Charles James Reginald also fell.
On Friday September 17th 1915 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “DISTRICT WAR ITEMS.” – LEICESTERSHIRE OFFICERS ILLNESS. – Lieutenant Edward Hugh Hastings Rawdon-Hastings, of the Black watch, second son of Lady Maude Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby, is in hospital near Boulogne, ill with enteric. It was at first stated that the attack was mild, but on Friday a serious report of his condition was received, and Lady Hastings left immediately for France, learning on arrival that an operation had been found necessary, and that her son’s condition was extremely grave. Lieut. Hastings is only 20, having been granted a commission when the war began. His elder brother Captain Reginald Hastings, is serving with the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment now at the front.
On Friday September 17th, 1915 The Leicester Daily Post published the following article under the heading. “LEICESTERSHIRE AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – DEATH OF LIEUT. EDWARD HASTINGS. – Lieutenant Edward Hastings, of the Black Watch, whose serious illness from enteric we reported a few days ago, has, we regret to announce, passed away, his death having taken place in a hospital near Boulogne, on Wednesday. His mother, Lady Maude Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby, left for France last Friday, on receipt of an intimation that the attack, which was at first thought to be slight, had become serious, and her ladyship learned on arrival that there was little hope of her son’s recovery. It is understood that the deceased officer, who was only 20 years of age, will be buried in France. Lieut. Hastings was granted a commission when the war began. He was the second son of Lady Hastings and the late Hon. Paulyn Hastings, and nephew of the Earl of Loudoun. Yesterday the flag, with the Maunch, was hanging half-mast

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday September 10th, 1915

LIEUT. HASTINGS IN HOSPITAL

EXTREMELY GRAVE CONDITION

Lieutenant Edward Hugh Hastings Rawdon-Hastings, of the Black Watch, second son of Lady Maude Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby, is in hospital near Boulogne, ill with enteric. It was at first stated that the attack was mild, but on Friday a serious report of his condition was received, and Lady Hastings left immediately for France, learning on arrival that an operation had been found necessary, and that her son’s condition was extremely grave.

Lieut. Hastings is only 20, having been granted a commission when the war began. His elder brother, Captain Reginald Hastings, is serving with the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, now at the front.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 24th, 1915

Local News

A gloom was cast over the town of Ashby and once more the grim reality of war was brought home to all on Thursday morning, when it became known that Lieutenant Edward Hastings had succumbed to enteric at the Stationary Hospital, Wamereux, near Boulogne. The sad occurrence, was the one topic of conversation, and among all classes throughout the community were heard expressions of sympathy for Lady Maud Hastings and the family in their bereavement. Lieut. Hastings, who was within a year of his coming of age, was greatly liked by those who knew him. He had a pleasing, aggregable manner, and his genial good nature found him many friends. He had a high conception of duty, to which must be added a zeal and energy that was very marked. All these qualities won for him the confidence of others. Unfortunately, his military career was of short duration, and the opportunity to show those finer, inherent qualities of his ancestors, and which have made the name of Hastings honoured through the centuries, was denied him, yet in the twelve months’ training he had proved himself worthy of the position he held, and had endeared himself to his fellow officers and men.

Coalville Times article - Friday September 24th, 1915

Death of Lieut. Hastings - Fatal attack of enteric

It is with deep regret we record the death of Lieutenant Edward Hugh Hastings Rawdon-Hastings, which took place on Wednesday at the Base Hospital, Boulogne, following an attack of enteric, and an operation performed about a week before.

Lieutenant Hastings was the younger son of the late Hon. Paulyn Rawdon-Hastings and Lady Maud Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby. He was the grandson of Baron Donington and Lady Edith Maud Hastings, and a nephew of the Earl of Loudoun and the Duke of Norfolk. Born at the old park, Ashby, in 1895, he was educated at Eton and afterwards at Oxford, and was still at Magdalene College, at the outbreak of war, when he was granted a commission in the Black Watch, with which regiment, several of his distinguished ancestors have been associated.

He left England with his regiment for France early in the year and about a fortnight ago, news was received that he was in hospital suffering from enteric. It was first stated that the attack was a mild one. Afterwards, however, more serious symptoms developed, and from the first intimation of the grave nature of his condition little hope was entertained of his recovery.

Immediately on receipt of news of his relapse, Lady Hastings journeyed to France, and remained with him till the end. Widespread sympathy is felt for her ladyship and the family in their sad bereavement.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 22nd, 1915

ASHBY-DE-LA-ZOUCH

A public memorial service will be held in the Parish Church, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, on Wednesday, October 27th, at 3 pm, in memory of Capt. P. C. J. R. Rawdon-Hastings, 5th Leicesters and Lieut. E. H. H. Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Black Watch.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1915

A touching incident was noticed at the memorial service for Capt. and Lieut. Hastings at Ashby Parish Church on Wednesday afternoon. In the congregation, seated throughout the service was a wounded soldier from the Cottage Hospital whose foot and leg were heavily bandaged and who could only get along with the aid of crutches and assistance. By his side sat a nurse, and despite her kindly remonstrance’s, the gallant soldier at the close of the service, persisted in standing whilst the National Anthem was sung. It was obviously an effort for him to do so, notwithstanding which he remained standing on one leg while the congregation sung all three verses.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 29th, 1915

Memorial Service at Ashby Church

At the Ashby Parish Church on Wednesday afternoon, a memorial service was held for the late Capt. Paulyn Charles James Reginald Rawdon-Hastings, and 2nd Lieut. Edward Hugh Hastings Rawdon-Hastings, only sons of Lady Maude Hastings and the late Hon. Paulyn Hastings of the Manor House, Ashby, who have fallen in the defence of their country. Capt. Hastings was in the 5th Battalion Leicestershire Territorial Regiment, commanding A (Coalville and Ashby) Co. and was killed in the great battle about the middle of this month when the Leicestershire Territorials assisted in the capture of two lines of German trenches. His brother, Lieut. Hastings, was in the 2nd Black Watch, and had gone to the front, but about six weeks ago contracted enteric and died in a military hospital in France.

There was a crowded congregation at the memorial service, many being unable to find seats. The members of the family present included Lady Maude Hastings (mother), the Misses Hastings (four sisters), Earl of Loudoun (uncle), the Duke and Duchess of Norfolk, (uncle and aunt), Earl and Countess Verulam, and Lady Jane Joddrell. Also present were Mr J. G. Shields, J.P., of Isley Walton (agent for the Donington estate to which the late Capt. Hastings was the heir), Lady Beaumont, Mr R. Lawton, J.P., whose son, a brother officer of Captain Hastings was mortally wounded about the same time), members of the Ashby Urban Council and practically all the leading residents of the neighbourhood.

All the clergy holding benefices in the Hastings family were invited to attend. They were the Rev. J. Hewitson (Measham), the Rev. E. Finch (Breedon-on-the-Hill), the Rev. G. Moore (Packington), and the Rev. B. Kenyon (Blackfordby). Others invited and present included the Rev. H. E. Worthington, R. D. (Netherseal), the Rev. D. W. Lloyd (Ticknall), the Rev. C. T. Moore (Appleby), and the Rev. A. Phillemore (Willesley).

Several military officers in uniform were present, including Col. German, Capt. Stevenson, Staff-Capt. Hassall and Lieut. Faulkner, also a contingent of the 2/5th Leicesters, a number of wounded soldiers from the Ashby Cottage Hospital and all the members of the Ashby Grammar School Cadet Corps in khaki, under command of Lieut. C. Elliott.

The service was conducted by the Rev. H. R. Sawyer (vicar), assisted by the Rev. F. E. Hobbs (curate) and the Rev. W. Fowley (Vicar of Holy Trinity, Ashby), the latter reading the lesson 1 Cor: 15c from v20 to end. The hymns sung were, “Now the labourer’s task is over,” “Peace, perfect peace,” and “On the resurrection morning.” Mr Underwood, one of the Grammar School masters, officiated at the organ – the regular organist, Mr Walter Handford, being at the front – and after the singing of the National Anthem, played the Dead March. At the conclusion, buglers of the 2/5th Leicesters, under Sergt.-Drummer Crossley, outside the church sounded “The Last Post.”

The service was very impressive and many of the congregation were in tears. Both the deceased officers were very popular in the town and district of Ashby and the greatest public sympathy is felt for Lady Maude Hastings and the family in their terrible loss.

As Lady Maude Hastings passed with other mourners into her home, nearby the buglers were called to “Attention.” The Earl of Loudoun in highland dress saluted, and the Duke of Norfolk took off his hat and conversed with the sergeant in charge. His Grace and the Duchess, who have been staying with Lady Hastings, left the Manor House yesterday afternoon.

Coalville Times article - Friday October 13th, 1916

DO YOU KNOW THAT

A memorial tablet to the late Capt. Hastings and Lieut. E. Hastings will be unveiled in the Ashby Parish Church this Friday afternoon?

Coalville Times article - Friday October 20th, 1916

“THEY DIED FOR THEIR COUNTRY”

MEMORIAL TO TWO ASHBY OFFICERS

A memorial tablet to Captain R. Hastings and Lieutenant E. Hastings was unveiled in the Ashby Parish Church on Friday afternoon. The two deceased officers were the only sons of the late Hon. Paulyn Hastings and Lady Maud Hastings, of the Manor House, Ashby, and Lady Maud performed the opening ceremony after which the vicar of Ashby, the Rev. H. E. Sawyer, gave an appropriate address. All the members of the family, and a large congregation were present.

The tablet, which is erected in the Huntingdon Chapel, is of white marble, and the inscription in black lettering is as follows: “In ever loving memory of Paulyn Charles James Reginald Rawdon Hastings, Captain A. Company, 1/5th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment, born November 27th, 1889, killed on the attack on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, October 13th, 1915; and of Edward Hugh Rawdon-Hastings, 2nd Lieutenant, 2nd Battalion, Black Watch, born August 31st, 1895, died of enteric at No. 14, Stationary Hospital, Wimereaux, September 15th, 1915. They died for their country. May they rest in peace.”

Research undertaken and submitted by Andy Murby 09/09/2017