Geoffrey Hayes

Born in 1887, he was commissioned, as a Second Lieutenant, in 1907 and took part in the Delhi Durbar of 1911 with 1 DLI. In September 1914, he joined 11 (Service) Battalion DLI as it was forming and became its Commanding Officer in 1916. For his leadership during the Battle of Cambrai in 1917, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Order. In March 1918, he was badly gassed and was forced to relinquish his command of 11 DLI. After the Great War, he rejoined the Regular battalions, finally retiring, as a Lieutenant Colonel, in 1934. Geoffrey Hayes died in Aberdovey in 1976.