Career
Hayes was commissioned into the Norfolk Regiment in 1915 during World War I and saw action in Mesopotamia and Persia. He also served in World World War II as Commanding Officer of 2nd Bn, Norfolk Regiment in France from 1939, as Commandant of the Infantry Company Commanders" School from early in 1940 and as Commander of 169th Infantry Brigade from later in 1940 before becoming General Officer Commanding 3rd Division in November 1941. He continued his war service as Commander of the Nigeria Area in West Africa from January 1943 and as Commander of the East Central District in England from late 1943 before becoming the commander of British forces in China in 1944.
In that capacity he witnessed Japan"s surrender in China in September 1945.
He retired in 1947.