Name
Reginald Tucker
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
04/12/1914
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Rifleman
1901
London Regiment (Queen's Westminster Rifles)
16th (County of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PLOEGSTEERT MEMORIAL
Panel 11.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Rickmansworth UDC Memorial, St Mary’s Church Memorial, Rickmansworth, Whitgift School, Croydon, Roll of Honour
Pre War
Reginald Tucker was born on September 10th 1891 in Wimbledon, son of John and Emma Tucker.
In 1901 he was living at ‘Springfield’ Worcester Road, Sutton, Surrey, his father being a tobacconist shopkeeper, and with a younger sister, Winifred. Reginald was educated at Whitgift School, Croydon from 1905 to 1908 and whilst there was a member of the cadet corps. In 1911 the family were living at ‘Woodleigh’, Erith Road, Belvedere, a ten roomed house. After leaving school, Reginald worked as an assistant in his father’s tobacco and cigar dealer business. The family later moved to a newly built house, ‘Oakwood’ Chorleywood Road, Rickmansworth.
The CWGC states that Reginald was the son of John Tucker of 217 Piccadilly, which was, presumably, their business premises.
Wartime Service
Reginald Tucker enlisted at Westminster, at the outbreak of the war. He was initially stationed at Buckingham Gate and then moved to Hemel Hempstead for further training. He embarked for France as part of the British Expeditionary Force for the Western Front on November 1st 1914, arriving at Le Havre the following day. His diary tells of his experiences from November 5th until December 2nd, two days before he was killed by a sniper. Capt. Whitmore, commanding 'D' Coy. The Westminsters wrote:
“I regret to say that your son while sitting in the trench was this morning hit in the head by a bullet, which glanced in though a loop hole above him, and died in half an hour. I can only express my personal sorrow at losing a soldier who has always shown himself an extraordinarily plucky fellow, doing his best to keep down the enemy’s fire even when at its heaviest. We shall always remember him among us as the first man of the Company to fall fighting for England.”
He is listed in de Ruvigny’s Roll of Honour.
Acknowledgments
Pat Hamilton
Malcolm Lennox, Whitgift School, Croydon,
