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Friday, 07 February 2014 (3048311) |
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Search for family of tragic soldier |
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by Danielle Thompson |
AN appeal has been launched to trace the family of a young West Lancashire solider executed by the Germans in World War Two.
Evan Hayton, a private with the 6th Durham Light Infantry, was just 20 years of age when, along with fellow private William Barlow, 21, he was captured by the Germans on June 8, 1944 during the preliminary attacks following the D-Day invasion.
In accordance with the Geneva Convention the two young privates should have been taken prisoner and held in a prisoner of war camp.
However, along with more than 20 Canadian troops, they were shot by German SS officers.
They are buried at the Bény-sur-Mer Canadian War Cemetery in Reviers, France.
Now the Durham Light Infantry Association (DLI) aims to honour the memory of the tragic pair with a commemorative plaque to be unveiled in Normandy in June to mark the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings.
And they are seeking to trace relatives of Private Hayton whose parents, James and Marjorie Hayton came from Bescar.
Dr Grenville Holland from the DLI Association said: “In June members of the association are visiting Normandy to commemorate the D-Day landings 70 years ago.
”During that visit we will be installing a bronze plaque to pay homage to two young soldiers of 6 DLI who were murdered on June 8th 1944 by elements of an SS reconnaissance battalion.
“There is a detailed account of what happened. Later on the report notes that ‘the families of those two soldiers were told by the army that they had been killed in action. They did not tell the families that the men had been murdered in cold blood.'
”The families did not learn the truth about the executions until 1994 – 50 years later when the relevant war files were opened.
“So far we have not been able to contact any members of the Hayton family but would like to do so in order to let them know about this commemorative bronze plaque which will provide a permanent record of the loss of this young soldier.
”We would grateful if any of your readers could let us have any contact details of the Hayton family.“
The plaque will read: ‘The Durham Light Infantry.
4987501 Pte. William Henry Barlow 6 DLI - Age 21 14617934 Pte. Evan Hayton 6 DLI - AGE 20
Murdered by the 12th Reconnaissance Battalion in the grounds of Chateau D’Audrieu 8th June 1944.
Remembered by the Durham Light Infantry Association.
Faithful'
If you are related to Private Hayton or could help in the search for his family, please contact Champion reporter Danielle Thompson on 01704 392404 or Dr Holland on j.g.holland@durham.ac.uk
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