Private Ernest Hayden
Ernest Hayden was born in Bradnage, Devonshire, England on March 9, 1895. After immigrating to Paris, he worked as a machinist. He stated at his enlistment that he was a Baptist, but he is commemorated at St. James Anglican Church. Before he emigrated, he had four years of service with the Deveonshire Regiment. He was single and 20 years old when he enlisted with the 125th Battalion in Paris.
Ernest was a member of the 9th Platoon that embarked aboard the S.S Scandinavia on February 12, 1916. The 9th and 10th Platoons were the first contingent of soldiers from Paris, nearly 100 men, to go overseas. He was transferred to the 4th Battalion after arriving in England. At some time, he was transferred to the 1st Tramways Company, Canadian Engineers. The 1st Tramways Company, Canadian Engineers, was an elite unit that built and operated narrow-gauge trench railways on the Western Front. Operating under direct command of the Canadian Corps, they hauled critical ammunition and rations forward and evacuated wounded casualties over shell-torn, muddy battlefields. The unit was expanded and reorganized as No. 1 Section, Canadian Corps Tramways Company. They played an instrumental logistical role during operations at Vimy Ridge and Hill 70.
On March 23, 1919, Ernest sailed for Canada aboard the Empress of Britain. He was discharged on July 7, 1919 in Hamilton. After the war, he married Florence Katherine Shaw of Brantford and they had three sons and one daughter. Ernest was living in Woodstock when he died on June 9, 1967. He is buried in the Anglican Cemetery in Woodstock.