
Obituary for Private RS Hayes
Pte Robert Hayes was killed in action on 3 January 2010 whilst conducting a security patrol south of Check Point Paraang in Southern Nad-e’Ali, Helmand Province. He had deployed to Afghanistan with C (Essex) Company, attached to the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards Battle Group.
Pte Hayes was employed as a rifleman within 6 Platoon. He was responsible for providing assistance and security to the local population, which included conducting patrols to disrupt insurgent activity in one of Helmand Province’s most challenging and dangerous areas. He was killed as a result of an IED explosion.
Pte Hayes was born in Cambridge on 9 May 1990. He completed his training at the Infantry Training Centre Catterick on 2 March 2009, aged 18, and joined the Vikings shortly afterwards. Before deploying to Afghanistan, Pte Hayes completed a number of demanding exercises in the United Kingdom and convincingly won his weight category during the Battalion’s 2009 Inter Company Boxing Championships.
In a very short period of time Pte Hayes proved himself to be a hugely professional and talented soldier. He was courageous, thoughtful and well liked by all those who served alongside him. Without doubt he had the personal attributes and raw potential to have had a full and successful career in the Army.
WM