Son of Ernest Colin Hayton and Lillian May (nee Dickson).

Married first of Mabel Ann Kerr, daughter of Ezekiel and Matilda Kerr, 1939 (she died in 1979); and then of Mabel (Mabs) Elizabeth Gertrude Sargent, 1985. Four sons.

Two of his brothers and a sister also served in World War 2. Gilbert McLean Hayton (42503) with the Royal Air Force, Alan Colin Hayton (281438) and Lilian Mary Hayton (W2239) with the New Zealand Forces

Educated Hawera Main School; New Plymouth Boys High School.

Awarded the Jubilee Medal 1977

Justice of the Peace (JP) 1942

He was a businessman, and was Chairman of the Taranaki Harbours Board.

Life member New Plymouth RSA, and mentioned in the Special Honours List NZRSA.

Worked for CA Wilkinson Ltd, merchants, New Plymouth 1927-30, Stratford 1930-34, Eltham 1934-39. He then established his own plumbers' merchants business from 1946. Past President of the New Zealand Wholesale Hardware Federation, New Zealand Plumbers' Merchants Guild, NZ Galvanised Sheet Guild; Taranaki Harbour Board: Member 1958-83, Deputy Chairman 1970-74, Chairman 1974-83; Vice President and later President of the Harbours Association of NZ , 1980-83; Member Public Affairs Committee, International Association of Ports and Harbours, 1979-83.

A long serving member of Rotary: Governor District 994 1956-57, Secretary District Adv Committee 1964-, Rep World Rotary President in Aust 1966, Member and Chairman community centre : school, home and scouts, community arts; Founder Probus Club, New Plymouth for retired and semi-retired men and women, and other Probus Clubs; established the New Plymouth Supperannuitants Association

Recreation: walking, gardening

Cenotaph record initially prepared with the serviceman in 1998 AWMM