Born-Highgate

According to the battalion diary, throughout December, 1914, the 1st Royal West Surrey (Queens) battalion of 3 Brigade, 1st Division, were out of the front line undergoing a period of rest, reorganisation and training, either in Hazebrouck for the first three weeks of the month and later at Hinges. However the records of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission show that at least fourteen men from the battalion were killed or died of wounds during this month. So far it has not been possible to find any explanation for this and it can only be assumed that either the date of their deaths was incorrectly recorded or that they were serving with another unit at the time. One of these discrepancies is the case of William Ayton who was killed on 17th December, 1914.