Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
James was killed by a German rifle grenade at Monchy au Bois, France. The War Diary for today records. Work. Completed new fire parapet in bay 7, 93A, also new fire step and parapet in bay 21, 92D. Continued work on three sumps in NEVER ENDING STREET Group 5. In trench 93 cleared entrance to bomb proof and cleared out officers dug out. Continued traverse in bay 7, trench 93. Levelled parapets in bays 7 and 8 in same trench clearing of -?-, and wired outside listening post in NASTY LANE. Wiring in front of trenches 103 and 104. New sandbagged fire steps in bays 25 and 28, with elbow rests. Continued on large traverse in 103 and cleared listening post in same trench. New fire bay in 104, and new gas alarms erected. The clearing of communication trench behind 105 continued. Built up bankets throughout Group 8. New bay continued in 106. New wire erected in front of 105 and 106. Grenade store in communication trench of Group 8 sandbagged and made bomb proof. Situation. From 9.30am. to 12.00 noon enemy fired high explosive and ‘whizz bangs’ in direction of support line of Group 5. At ‘stand to’ enemy fired 20 rifle grenades into 93A. Battalion grenadiers replied and silenced the enemy. 1 man killed and 3 wounded. At 7.00pm enemy fired 2 salvoes of ‘whizz bangs’ into rear of 92C. Our machine guns opened fire on point X.29.c.3.5 very lights were sent up, several of the enemy were seen and hit. Enemy fired 5 4.9 inch shells in trench 93. 15 rifle grenades were fired into 93A. Battalion grenadiers replied with 48 grenade. One man killed in 95 by sniper. Wind south, south westerly. Weather bright then cloudy.

Source: Leicestershire War Memorials Project.
Coalville Times article - Friday February 4th, 1916

DONINGTON-LE-HEATH SOLDIER KILLED

COMRADE’S TRIBUTE TO HIS “BEST PAL”

Mr and Mrs James Haywood, of Brook Terrace, Donington-le-Heath, have received a letter from Private Jason Wallace, a friend of their son, Private James Haywood, of the 8th Leicesters, conveying the sad news of the latter’s death. The letter states:

“Dear Mr and Mrs Haywood, - Just a few lines, hoping you are all well, as it leaves me about the same, only I am sorry to tell you that I have lost my best pal. But I expect you have heard about it by now. I should have written before, only we were in the trenches, and we are not allowed to write from there. I went to have a last look at him, but was not allowed to do so. Cartwright has also died, since I heard of it. It took all the steam out of me, as I had been talking to him not long before, and you don’t know how I miss him. We had got like two brothers since we had been out here, and he was one of the best pals anybody could have, and there was not a better soldier in all France than Jim. They keep picking us out. I have had some very near shaves, but have been very lucky up to now. At the rate they are going on there will soon be none left of the old hands who came out with us. I can’t go into details of his death in this letter, but I expect coming over on leave if I have the luck and then I will tell you all about it. But one thing I can tell you and that is he was doing his duty, and I can only say one thing more – I have lost my best pal. Hoping you are all well under these trying circumstances, I remain, your old friend, Jason Wallace, 13178, 8th Leicesters, B. Co. B.E.F. France.”

The man named Cartwright referred to in the letter as also having died is an Ellistown soldier, but this has not been confirmed. Another letter as to the death of Private Haywood, has been received by Mr P. Bird, of Coalville, his uncle, from the latter’s son (cousin of the deceased) also with the army in France. Bird states that Haywood was buried with every token of respect in the soldiers’ cemetery on Sunday, January 23rd.

Since receiving the above, Mr and Mrs Haywood have also received letters from the deceased’s officers.

Captain T. E. Breacher writes expressing sympathy with the parents on the death of their son, killed by a German rifle grenade, on January 23rd, and continues, “He was a battalion grenadier, and has been under my command since September 1st, 1915. Always a conscientious worker, nothing I ever set him to do was too much trouble for him. At the end of a hard day’s work, when volunteers were called for to work the machines etc., which throw grenades into the enemy trenches; he was always amongst the first of the men to come forward. As the result of his death, I have lost one of my best grenadiers but it may please you to know that he died – like many others have done – doing his duty.”

Lieutenant E. S. Allen, also expresses sympathy in a letter, which continues, “As his platoon officer for a year I knew him well and there was no better soldier in the platoon. Out here he joined the battalion bombers, and became one of the best of them. I can assure you that I, personally, and the rest of his comrades of No. 7 platoon feel his loss keenly. He himself can have had no pain, his death being instantaneous. He was struck, as you probably know, by a rifle grenade, whilst doing his duty. There is no more to be said.”

Private Haywood was a single man, 32 years of age, and before the war worked at the Ellistown Colliery, where his father is also employed. He enlisted in September, 1914, and had been several months at the front. Mr and Mrs Haywood have two other sons serving in the army.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 19th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of our dear son, Private James Haywood, of the Leicestershire Regiment, who was killed in action February 22nd, 1916, somewhere in France.

“Too far away thy grave to see,
But not too far to think of thee.”

From his loving Father and Mother.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 26th, 1917

IN MEMORIAM

Mr and Mrs Heighton and family desire to tender their sincere thanks to all friends for their kind expressions of sympathy with them in the death of their dear son, A. B. John Heighton, 5576, Anson Battalion, B.N.D. Killed in action, somewhere in France, November 13th, 1916. 44, Green Lane, Whitwick.

In loving memory of our dear brother, Private James Haywood, 8th Leicesters, killed in action, January 22nd, 1916.

“He bade no one his last farewell
He waived his hand to none
His spirit fled before we knew
That from us he had gone.”

From his loving sisters, Louise and Bella.

Coalville Times article - Friday January 25th, 1918.

IN MEMORIAM

In loving memory of Private J. Haywood, 8th Leicesters, who was killed in action in France, on January 22nd, 1916.

“To memory ever dear.”

Sisters and Brothers

In loving memory of our dear son, Jas. Haywood, who was killed somewhere in France, January 22nd, 1916.

“Too far away thy grave to see,
But not too far to think of thee.”

From his loving Father and Mother.

Coalville Times article – Friday April 2nd, 1920

WAR MEMORIAL AT HUGGLESCOTE CHURCH

UNVEILED BY COL. R. E. MARTIN

A tablet which has been placed in Hugglescote Parish Church, to the memory of men from the parish who fell in the war, was unveiled by Lt.-Colonel R. E. Martin, C.M.G., on Saturday afternoon in the presence of a large congregation.

The tablet is of excellent design, in keeping with the handsome edifice, and is of a permanent character, the names of 101 men being inscribed on Swithland slate, set in a frame of Ketton stone, surmounted by a cross and crown encircled in a carved laurel wreath, with similar carvings on either side. The inscription runs as follows:

“Their name liveth for evermore.”

“To the Glory of God, and in imperishable memory of the men of the parish who fell in the great war, 1914 – 1918.”

The names of the men inscribed on the tablet are as follows:-

H. A. Attwood, C. T. Beadman, J. Brooks, W. Baker, J. E. Briggs, H. G. Blackham, J. T. Bishop, J. Barrs, G. Barrs, R. Beadman, E. Bonser, G. Beale, J. G. Bennett, E. S. Boot, W. Berrisford, F. J. Betteridge, F. P. Benistone, J. W. Cawley, F. Chamberlain, J. A. Crookes, R. A. Cross, L. Cross, J. Cox, P. Cliff, J. W. F. Collier, C. Drewett, H. B. Drewett, S. Dodds, A. Elkin, H. C. Elkin, J. Farn, H. Fletcher, H. Finch, L. Finch, G. Firban, G. Gadsby, A. Gamble, S. F. Gamble, W. Gray, W. O. Hoden, O. Hallam, B. Hatter, J. Haywood, W. Hill, F. Hill, J. E. Hibbert, G. Hart, G. H. Highfield, E. Harper, J. W. Harper, H. Hall, J. E. Holmes, J. Jones, W. Jones, F. J. Kirby, I. V. Kelham, H. Lewis, W. Lewis, W. Massey, H. O. Moseley, T. Marriott, G. Martin, J. A. Moult, J. Maunders, J. Moon, I. Mycroft, W. Newbold, O. H. Pratt, J. A. Pegg, F. Pink, E. H. Palmer, W. Riley, A. T. Richardson, W. Rogers, C. Simmons, E. A. Stinchcombe, J. Summers, S. Summers, C. Shilton, G. Slatter, J. Smith, J. C. Shaw, S. Smith, G. Spencer, S. C. Smith, J. W. Setchell, W. Statham, A. G. Tovell, S. T. Timson, J. Tebbatt, F. Whitmore, E. Willett, B. Walker, H. Watson, C. H. Walker, J. Woods, T. Willett, A. Wright, A. Wood, J. Young and W. Young.

As the congregation passed into the church, members of the Hugglescote Church Lads’ Brigade, with the ex-Sergt.-Major W. Hill in charge, lined up on either side of the entrance and two of the Brigade with bowed heads and leaning on reversed rifles, stood by the memorial, covered with the Union Jack.

The service, which was very impressive, was conducted by the Rev. Canon Broughton (vicar) and opened with the hymn, “Stand up for Jesus.” Then followed prayers and collects. Psalm 130, and a lesson read by the Rev. J. C. Wallace, after which the clergy and choir proceeded to the memorial, led by the churchwardens, Messrs. W. E. Canner and J. W. Fletcher.

In unveiling the tablet, Colonel Martin said “To the glory of God and in imperishable memory of the men of this parish who fell in the great war 1914 – 1918, I unveil this tablet, which has been erected by their fellow parishioners in grateful recognition of their self-sacrifice.”

The “Last Post” having been sounded by buglers of the Church Lads’ Brigade, the choir and clergy returned to their places and Colonel Martin gave an address from the chancel steps.

He spoke of the memorable days in August 1914, when the principles on which our national life is based were being assailed, and it was the part of every true man to stand in defence of them. They had tangible proof that the spirit which was then evoked in the nation was the same spirit as that shown by their forefathers who went out to fight country’s enemies. He would never forget the day about the end of August, 1914, when the North Midland Territorial Division, which had been mobilised about three weeks, was told to fill up its ranks for service abroad. It fell to him, among others, to come back into Leicestershire to try and explain to the people what they were up against, and he remembered what a splendid response they gave. In the North Midland Division, between 80 and 90 per cent of the men said they were prepared to go anywhere, though many of them were married men who had never experienced Army service before. Many things have happened since – much self-seeking, a desire to get rich quickly, many apparent inequalities of justice and self-sacrifice – but he was sure they could all take comfort from the fact that there was tangible proof given in those days that the nation was sound at heart and could be trusted to do the right thing when the crisis really arose. And what happened when the armies got overseas and began their real work? He ventured to say that no one had the privilege of serving in a better battalion. The men from that district – Coalville men they always called them – were a splendid lot of men filled with genuine enthusiasm for fitting themselves for the part which they had to play, and who on getting across the water, proved themselves as good as the best. He went on to speak of evidences of practical Christianity displayed by the men, and of deeds of heroism which came to his notice. One instance he recalled was when they were between Hill 60 and Ypres. When the Brigadier realised that he had in the ranks men accustomed to mining, he formed a number of Coalville men into a mining section, whose duty it was to construct projecting galleries in front of the trenches, to find out if the Germans were under-mining. One day a member of the party came across a German mine filled with German explosives in large quantities, and it would have been a very natural thing for him to want to get away from it as soon as possible, but instead of that, he crawled over the top and disconnected the mine and came back and reported it to his commanding officer. This man, whose name was Starbuck, had no thought for his own safety, but first took steps to safeguard his comrades.

Proceeding, Col. Martin said his services came to an end in October, 1915, but he had always felt ever since then that the war had been worth while, if for nothing else than for the fine spirit it brought out, and if the same spirit could be shown in regard to present day problems, it would go a long way towards reaching a solution. He was not one of those who said this country ought to have stood aside and have taken advantage of the trade while other countries were fighting. The people, who said that, he thought, were wrong. He thought that what the people of this country did when they found what they were up against should be an example and pattern to them now. If the war had done nothing else, with all the misery, self-sacrifice and sorrow, he believed they were worth while because they afforded the opportunity which was taken by so many of showing a truly Christian spirit. He believed that experience had not been lost, but would help them to get through present day difficulties with credit to themselves.

The closing hymn was 11, “For all the saints,” and a collection was taken for St. Dunstan’s Hostel for Blind Soldiers and Sailors. As the congregation were leaving the church, Mr F. Baxter (organist) played, “O, rest in the Lord.” Before and after the service, peals were rung with the bells half-muffled.

Research undertaken and submitted (including photograph from Coalville Times) by Andy Murby, 12/10/2017