Private Sidney Walter Hayward was born in Leyton, Essex, England on August 21, 1893.

Hayward was a locomotive fireman and had served previously in the 105th Regiment prior to his enlistment with the 53rd Battalion in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan on December 21, 1914.  He sailed for Britain in June of 1915 aboard the SS Scandinavian and was attached to the 28th Battalion in England.  Hayward was buried by a shell near Kemmel, Belgium in December of 1915, resulting in shell shock (neurasthenia).  He was sent to England for treatment where he was assigned to the Records Office as a clerk for eighteen months.  Still suffering from the effects of his shell shock, he was returned to Canada as medically unfit in 1919 where he underwent further treatment at the Military Hospital in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

Content notes:
The correspondence is between Sidney and his wife Dorothy, whom he met and married while in England.

External link:
Pte. Sidney Walter Hayward’s service record (Serv/Reg# 440131) can be viewed/downloaded in pdf format through Library and Archives Canada.