Lance-Corporal, 17729, 1st Battalion, Royal Welsh Fusiliers. Died, killed in action, age 24, on 26 February 1917 at the Western Front.
In August 1914 the 1st Battalion was stationed in Malta. It returned to England, landing at Southampton on 3 September 1914 and immediately attached to 22 Brigade, 7th Division. It landed at Zeebrugge on 7 October 1914 to assist in the defence of Antwerp. In 1917 they fought during the German retreat to the Hindenburg Line and the flanking operations round Bullecourt during The Arras Offensive, before moving to Flanders for the Third Battle of Ypres. The Battalion later moved with the Division to Italy in November 1917.
The Battalion War Diary records that during February 1917 the Battalion was in action at the time of the German withdrawal to the Hindenburg Line. The enemy left behind stubborn rearguards to slow down the British advance and to cause as many casualties as possible. On 26 February 1917 the Battalion was ordered to send out strong patrols to attack and clear the German trenches ahead of them and push through to secure the village of Puisieux. Where they met resistance they used bombs to clear the trenches. The Germans harassed them constantly using heavy artillery, including gas shells. However, by 11.15 pm all objectives had been taken. Losses included 10 killed, 30 wounded, 2 died of wounds and 4 missing. It is probable that Lance-Corporal Hearn was one of those reported as missing as he has no known grave.
He was born at Kennington, London and was the son of Henry and Rose Hearn of 12 Cross Street, Lambeth. He was baptised on 25 January, 1893 at St. Peter Vauxhall, Lamberth, London. His siblings included Rachael (b. abt.1892), Nellie (b. abt.1895, Thomas (b. abt.1898 and Henry William (b. abt.1900). His father was employed as a Labourer and died at Lambeth in 1900, aged 39. His mother was born about 1867 and later lived at 13, Park Road, West Dulwich, London. Thomas also served as a Private in the Army during the Great War.
In 1901 he was recorded as a Boarder at the Primrose Cottage, Church Home for Boys, New Hunstanton, Norfolk, aged 8. In 1911 he was employed as a Cowman, aged 18, on Ty Wridin (Wrideen) Farm, Rhoscolyn, Anglesey for John George Lickle. (The farm was used as a hospital for a while during the war, being maintained by Sir Henry M Grayson, MP). L/Cpl. Hearn enlisted into the RWF at Holyhead and arrived in France on 19 September 1915.
Awarded the 1914-15 Star, Victory Medal and British War Medal.
Commemorated on the Thiepval Memorial, Pier and Face 4A. He has no known grave.