George W. Hayward - Pre-Explorer Life

Pre-Explorer Life

Hayward was long supposed to have been Irish but research in the 1990s by Charles Timmis revealed that he was in fact a Yorkshireman, born at Headingly Hall on the outskirts of Leeds. He was educated at the Forest School in north London. In 1859 he became an ensign in the British Army. He was stationed in Multan in India (now in Pakistan) with the 89th Regiment of Foot. In 1863 he purchased a commission and became a Lieutenant. He next transferred to the Cameron Highlanders regiment in 1864. He sold his commission in 1865 and left the British Army.