Lance Corporal 9003 Albert Hay

Killed in Action on Saturday, 19th September 1914, age 28.
Commemorated on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial, Seine-Et-Marne, France.

3rd Bn., Worcestershire Regiment. 7th Brigade of 3rd Division.

Husband of Frances Hay, of Libbery, Grafton Flyford, Worcester.
Born: Tipton, Enlisted: Tenbury, Worcs, Resident: Tenbury, Worcs.

First landed France & Flanders, 12th August 1914.
Medal entitlement: 1914 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives survived and transcribed.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial.
Commemorated here because he was born in Tipton.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/878987/

Genealogical Data

Albert Hay was born on 5th January 1886 at 5 Brewery Street, Tipton. His mother, Sarah Ann Hay (née James) died just a year later in January quarter 1887, aged 23 years. His father, Albert, married Elizabeth Ellen Wood in December quarter 1888.

1891 Census
47 Pedmore Road, Woodside, Dudley, Worcs.
Albert Hay (28, Coal Miner, born Abberley Valley, Worcs), his wife Elizabeth (20, born Moor Side, Staffs) and their 2 children: Albert (5, born Tipton), and Edith A. (1, born Moor Side, Staffs).

1901 Census
Bright's Hall, Sutton, Tenbury, Worcs.
Albert Hay (37, Agricultural Labourer born Rochford, Worcs), his wife Elizabeth (28, born Moor Side, Dudley), and their 3 children: Albert (15, born Tipton), and Edith A. (11, born Moor Side, Worcester), and Lizzie (1, born Moor Side, Worcester).

1911 Census
Libbery, Grafton Flyford, Worcs.
Boarding with his parents-in-law Henry and Ann Reynolds were:
Albert Hay (24, Soldier - Lance-Corporal, born Tipton) and his wife of less than one year Frances (22, born Libbery, Grafton Flyford).

The first child to Albert and Frances was Albert Francis, born on 25th April 1911. He sadly died in June quarter 1920, aged 9 years. A further son, Harry, was born on 15th February 1915 - 5 months after Albert had been killed.

Personal Data

Albert's connection with Tipton was fleeting. Neither parent was born in the town, and although he was born here in January 1886, by the time of the 1891 census the Hay family had moved to Pedmore Road, Dudley, and by 1901 to Tenbury Wells.

On 2nd January 1905, Albert enlisted at Tenbury with the Worcesters for a period of 9 years with the colours and 5 years with the Reserves. He was 18 years and 11 months old, 5 ft 6¼ in tall with a 32½ in chest, weighed 124 lbs, his physical development was noted as 'good'. He had dark brown hair and grey eyes, was employed as a Groom, and declared his religion as 'Church of England'. He was posted to the 3rd Battalion, and served almost 2 years in India and South Africa during 1907 and 1908.

On 19th July 1911, having served just 6½ years of his 9 years commitment, he was allowed to terminate his service and transfer to the Reserves. By this time he was a married man, having married Frances Reynolds on 24th October 1910 at Pershore Registery Office. They lived with her parents at Libbery, Grafton Flyford near Tenbury Well; their fisrt son, Albert Francis, was born on 25th April 1911, and their second son, Harry, on 15th February 1915.

Albert was still a Reservist when war was declared, and he was recalled to the 3rd Worcesters on 7th August 1914. The next day he was made a Lance-Corporal, and just 4 days later he landed in France, one of the original "Old Contemptibles." His war lasted just 5 weeks.

After Albert's death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £3/5/4d (3 pounds, 5 shillings and 4 pence); this was paid to his widow, Frances, in January 1915. His War Gratuity was £5/0/0d (5 pounds precisely), this was also paid to Frances in May 1919.

Albert’s widow, Frances, was awarded a Widow's Pension of 18/6d (18 shillings and 6 pence) per week for herself and her 2 sons, effective from 19th April 1915. This would have been reduced in 1920 after the death of her first son, Albert. The Widow's Pension element of the pension would have ceased upon her re-marriage to James H. Prew in June quarter 1926; she would have been compensated by a Remarriage Gratuity which was generally equivalent to 1 year's pension. The pension element in respect of her son, Harry, would continue until his 16th birthday.

Action resulting in his death

The 3rd Worcesters faced the Germans at Mons on the 23rd August, the odds were overwhelming and retreat was the only option. After two days, II Corps were too exhausted to continue and were to stand and fight - the Battle of Le Cateau on the 26th August. This provided little relief as the retreat continued that night, but the losses inflicted on the Germans meant that they did not harass the retreat for some time.

The retreat continued until 6th September when the French, with some British assistance, managed to halt the German advance at the Battle of the Marne. This success led to a German retreat which continued until 13th September, when they attempted to stabilise their line at the Battle of the Aisne.

The 3rd Worcesters managed to cross the River Aisne at Vailly on 15th September 1914, and secured a foothold only after severe fighting. From 16th to 19th September, they were dug in across a little wooded valley above the village of Vailly, north of the River Aisne.

On the evening of the 19th September a fierce musketry duel broke out all along the line of the 3rd Worcesters. This was initially repulsed, but a second attack on 20th September broke the British line to the left of the Battalion. Two platoons were sent to support that flank and suffered heavily. At the same time German infantry attacked through woodland on the right flank into a gap on the steep hillside.

Three platoons of “D” company were involved in fierce fighting in a dense wood against superior numbers, and had to fall back to form a defensive flank to counter a close firefight at the woodland edge 100 yards distant. Eventually the Germans withdrew, but “D” company had lost over 80 killed and wounded.

The 3rd Worcesters had 17 Other Ranks and 2 Officers killed on the 19th September, and 26 Other Ranks and 1 Officer killed on the 20th, a total of 46 lives lost. Albert is recorded as being killed on the 19th September. 42 of the 46 men killed were never identified and have no known grave. Albert is one of the 42 unidentified, and is commemorated on the La Ferte-sous-Jouarre Memorial.

The assitance of Brian Hill with the above description of the action is gratefully acknowledged.

Newspaper Cuttings

None.