Name
Reginald Le Mare
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Royal Irish Fusiliers
1st Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Biography
Reginald, and his brother Ralph Le Mare did not appear in the Parish Records and Lists. They were first identified in a photograph in the 17th July 1915 edition of the Watford Illustrated, with a caption which indicated that they were the sons of Mrs Le Mare of “Glencairn”, Abbots Langley.
Reginald was the elder of the two brothers, and was born in the winter of 1892 at Highgate in London. His brother Ralph also served in the Great War. He was one of four children (two sons and two daughters) born to Joshua and Matilda Le Mare. Joshua worked at the Stores Department of the London and North-west Railway Company, but died at sea on 30th March 1899.
The widowed Matilda had moved the family to Bexhill by the time of the 1901 Census. Nine year old Reginald was sent to Boarding School at Willingdon, near Eastbourne. The family was recorded living at “Glendore”, Smitham Downs Road, in Purley, Surrey, in the 1911 Census. At the time Reginald was listed employed as a Clerk at a Woollen Warehouse.
Reginald and Ralph were first recorded in military records in November 1914, and were shown serving with the Artists’ Rifles (28th County of London Battalion). Their Medal Rolls indicated that they both went to France on 29th December 1914, and were serving with the rank of Private. Ralph was commissioned on 22nd April 1915, and joined the 1st Battalion of the Royal Irish Fusiliers. Reginald also joined the 1st Battalion and was commissioned on 10th June 1915. In July 1915 they were both recorded with the rank of Lieutenant with the Royal Irish Fusiliers.The 17tth July 1915 edition of the Watford Illustrated noted that Reginald had been wounded but was now back at the Front.
Nothing further was identified concerning Reginald’s service but when he claimed his Service Medals in September 1920 he was living at 5 Marlborough Avenue in Reading.
Reginald Le Mare and his brother Ralph both survived the War.
Additional Information
Formerly 28th (County of London) Battalion The Artists’ Rifles
Acknowledgments
Roger Yapp - www.backtothefront.org
