William Slade Heywood, Royal Fusiliers

The 9th Battalion was formed at Hounslow on 21 August 1914 as part of K1. It was attached to 36th Brigade, 12th (Eastern) Division and landed in France in May 1915. Immediately prior to L/Corporal Heywood's death the Division was involved in the Battle of the Somme and suffered heavy casualties. They then left the area and marched for five days to relieve the 11th (Northern) Division on the Arras front on 22 August. This was reported as a comparatively quiet time, punctuated by trench raids. The Division was relieved on 26-7 September and moved back to the Somme, taking over forward positions in appalling conditions at Geudecourt, Grid and Grid Support on 1-2 October, relieving a battalion of the Middlesex Regiment. The battalion were subject to heavy shelling whilst they laboured to improve the condition of the trench system. Lance Corporal Heywood was one of 12 men killed by shellfire before the battalion was relieved later on the 3 October.Born in Manchester on 16 July 1885, the son of Arthur and Julia Ann Heywood (nee Slade) of Craig Eithin, Trearddur Bay, Anglesey. He was an Old Public School boy. He enlisted at Manchester and was the husband of Ada Alexandra Hunn (formerly Heywood, nee Mellowdew), of "Bryn Celyn", Llysfaen, Colwyn Bay. Previously resided at Heaton Moor, Stockport. In 1901 he lived with his parents, older sister and two younger brothers, a cousin and two servants at Park Gates, Cheadle Hulme. His father was a Woollen Cloth Merchant. He was employed as an Insurance Clerk. He married Ada Alexandra Mellowdew on 5 August 1908, the marriage being registered at Oldham. A son, Kenneth Mellowdew Heywood was born in 1910. A daughter, Nora S Heywood was born in 1913. In 1911 the family lived at Rhocolyn Hill, Top Road, Cheadle Hulme. His profession was given as Wool Merchant. His will was proved in June 1917. He left £5,296.14s.6d to his wife of 14 Granby Road, Cheadle Hulme. His father, Arthur Heywood, died on 10 November 1918 at Trearddur Bay, aged 71 and left more than £39,000 in his will.

Awarded the Victory Medal and British War Medal.

Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial at Pier and Face 8C 9A and 16A. Remembered on his parents gravestone at the Four Mile Bridge (Pont Rhyd Bont) Wesleyan Chapelyard, Rhoscolyn. Also commemorated on the on the Cheadle Hulme War Memorial and Cheadle Hulme School War Memorial. He has no known grave.

Additional information relating to the circumstances of L/C Heywood's death from http://www.stockport1914-1918.co.uk