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Captain James Henry Webster Hay
05/08/2024
First World War Army United Kingdom
Captain James Henry Webster Hay
139270

James Henry Webster Hay was born in Anstruther, Scotland in 1874.

A career military man, James joined the Seaforth Highlanders in 1890, aged 16, taking part in the fighting in Sudan in the Mahdist War of 1881-1889. 

Following this, he took up a position as Chief Clerk of the Military Records Office in Perth, before transferring to Fort George where he was appointed Quartermaster Sergeant.

James was discharged from the Army in 1912. He moved to Liverpool with his wife and three children.

At the outbreak of the First World War, James re-joined his old unit. He was gazetted as a Lieutenant in October 1914. 

James and his men were sent to the Western Front in May 1915. The following September, they were part of the bloody Battle of Loos, after which the Seaforth Highlanders were sent to man the trenches near Ypres, Belgium.

During a brief spell of leave, James bought home a carved wooden panel he had found in Ypres’ ruins. From the Belgian city, he wrote many letters that have become family heirlooms.

James was back at the front by November 1915. As part of the 9th Division, the Seaforth Highlanders were holding part of the line at Sanctuary Wood. 

The unit’s HQ was in the cellar of a ruined house near Zillebeke, aka Hellblast Corner for the nearby artillery positions that drew enemy fire.

From this base, the now Captain Hay and Lieutenant John Gubb of the Royal Engineers organised working parties along the Zellebeke front.

The 9th Battalion, Seaforth Highlanders, were billeted in huts and tents near Dikkebus within range of German artillery.

It seems James was struck by shrapnel while travelling with his colonel between Dikkebus and Zilbekke. Although his date of death is 30 November 1915, he likely succumbed to his wounds several days earlier.

Today, James is buried at Poperinghe New Military Cemetery, Belgium.

Captain James Hay with brother Jack, circa 1914 (Courtesy of Rosemary Edge)
James with his wife and children, circa 1909 (Courtesy of Rosemary Edge)
James' grave registration card (Courtesy of Rosemary Edge)