Name
Percy Alfred Reeve (*1)
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
05/07/1917
21
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
23490
Bedfordshire Regiment
'A' Coy., 4th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ARRAS MEMORIAL
Bay 5.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Watford Borough Roll of Honour, St Mary's Parish Church Memorial, Watford, Watford Printers Memorial, Watford, Sun Engraving Company Memorial, Watford, St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Watford (*1)
Pre War
Son of Jane (nee KING) REEVE of Watford, and the late Richard REEVE.
His parents married 24 October 1891 at St Paul’s, Chipperfield, Herts. Jane died 1932 in the Watford district aged 63.
Percy was born 1896 in Watford, and baptised 28 June 1896 at St Andrew’s, Watford. He resided in Watford.
On the 1901 Census, aged 4 he lived in Watford, with his parents and three siblings. On the 1911 Census, an assistant at processing works aged 14, he still lived in Watford, with his mother and three siblings.
Wartime Service
He enlisted in Ampthill, Beds; was entitled to the Victory and British War medals, and was killed in action in the front line south of Oppy Wood. Unfortunately, Percy’s Service Record appears to be one that did not survive the World War Two bombing.
There is a brief article about and a Death announcement for Percy in the West Herts and Watford Observer dated 21 July 1917; plus In Memoriams in the issues dated 6 July 1918 and 12 July 1919.
Additional Information
*1 Some researchers have identified 200540 Percy Charles Milburn Reeves as the man on the St John the Evangelist Church Memorial, Watford, however that man appears to have no direct connection to Watford. Although spelt Reeves on the memorial, it is though more likely that the 's' was mistake and he is this man who is listed on other memorials.
Acknowledgments
Sue Carter (Research) and Watford Museum (ROH on line via www.ourwatfordhistory.org.uk)
