Percy Charles Hayter

Story:
Percy Charles Hayter was born in Shaftesbury, Dorset in December 1881, and baptised at St. John's Church, Enmore Green, Shaftesbury, on 1 Jan 1882 the son of Charles Hayter and Susan Jane Edwards Hayter (née Upjohn). He married Harriett Minden Bendell on 20th July 1903 at Holy Trinity Church, Shaftesbury, Dorset and set up home at 7 St. James, Shaftesbury. There were at least four children of the marriage. By the 1911 Census he had moved to Shepton Mallet, Somerset for work as a Gardener. From here, having had previous military experience with the 2nd Volunteer Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment, he re-enlisted on 15th March 1913 as a Private in the Territorial Unit of the Somerset Light Infantry (Service No. 69115). He was embodied on 4th August 1914 and served throughout the war in the United Kingdom. He was transferred to the Labour Corps in 1918 (Service No. 200248) and then to the 16th Battalion of the Worcestershire Regiment with the rank of Corporal (Service No. 204670). He was discharged on 23rd April 1919 having contracted a lung disease for which he received a War Pension plus the Silver War Badge. He was awarded the Victory and British War medals. The 1921 Census shows him living at 4 Cats Ash, Shepton Mallet, Somerset, working as a Jobbing Gardener. Unfortunately he died in July 1926 at Shepton Mallett.  His brothers, Ernest George Hayter and Harry John Hayter, also served in the conflict. Source: Based on previous research by Ken Baxter.