Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Gerald Mortimer Haynes was born on 16 December 1894, to parents Henry Thomas and Lucy (Faulkner).  In 1901, Gerald (7) was living at High Street, Wells-next-the-Sea, Norfolk with Henry (40) a tobacconist, Lucy (43) and siblings Margaret Lilly (14) and William Irvin (12).  By 1911, the family had moved to 32 High Street, East Dereham, Norfolk where Gerald lived with his parents and sister, Margaret Lillie.  By then his father’s occupation was listed as a cycle agent and repairer, whilst Gerald was working as a political agent’s clerk.

 Gerald enlisted at East Dereham on 24 September 1914.  He is described as 5ft 9ins tall and of good physical development.  He passed through Peterborough East Station on 4 October 1916, and was serving with the 2/5^th Norfolk Regiment.  He wrote in the visitors’ book: “An appreciation of a very pleasant surprise.  Stationed at the most desolate spot on earth Yorkshire.”

In January 1918, he was posted to the 4^th (Reserve) Battalion Norfolk Regiment at Crowborough and was promoted to Sergeant in March that year. On 4 April 1918, he was posted to 17^th Infantry Base Depot with the British Expeditionary Force and on 16 April was transferred to 11^th Battalion Suffolk Regiment.  In late April 1918, he suffered shrapnel wounds to his left thigh and back and on 2 May was invalided back to England on board Hospital Ship, Pieter de Coninck.  On the same day he was admitted to the Kitchener Military Hospital, Brighton and discharged on 1 July 1918 to VAD (Voluntary Aid Detachment) Hospital, East Dereham until 28 September 1918 when he was declared fit for furlough.  For more information on VAD hospitals, please follow this link  http://bit.ly/2uNdZwZ

In early October 1918, Gerald was posted to Dereham where he received arm and leg drill remedial exercise and marching.  He transferred to the 3^rd Battalion Suffolk Regiment on 8 December 1918.  According to his medical record his injury had healed but he suffered pain whilst carrying weights and doing heavy work, particularly during cold and damp weather.  He was discharged on 1 April 1919.  His disability was classed as being attributed to war service and assessed at 19%.  He received a pension of 6s 6d per week for 52 weeks from 2 April 1919.  He was awarded the British War, Allied Victory Medals and the Silver War Badge.

Gerald married Constance Clay-Beckett in Fulham in 1923.  They had a son, Peter Gerald Haynes in 1928.  In the 1939 Register Gerald and Constance are recorded as being hotel proprietors of “Highlawns” Rhos Road, Colwyn Bay, North Wales.

Gerald died on 3 October 1990, aged 96 years and was then living at Gissing House, 33 High Street, Overstrand, Norfolk.  At this time, Gerald was cared for by his son, Peter Gerald Haynes and  his wife Mary Maguerite Regan, and is fondly remembered by them and his three grandchildren; Clare, Simon and France.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Gerald.