Name
Christopher George Reynolds
1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
16/08/1917
28
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Gunner
102762
Royal Field Artillery
'B' Battery, 46th Brigade
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
TYNE COT MEMORIAL
Panel 4 to 6 and 162.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
NA
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Christopher was born in 1891 in Hitchin, his parents were George and Maria Reynolds – probably Maria Martha Pearce and if so they married in Hitchin on 8 February 1890.
In 1891 the family were living at 29 Bedford Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents: George (22) and Maria (21), with George working as a baker. Christopher George Reynolds was just 3 weeks old.
In 1901 the family were living in Lancaster Road, Hitchin. Present were both parents, with George working as a bread makers assistant. Their children were: Christopher (10), Cecil L (7), Percy (4) and Winifred V (2).
George and Maria have not been found together in the 1911 census, Christopher was living at Queen Street, Hitchin in the home of John and Louisa Cain. He is listed as nephew so presumably to Louisa and he was working as a printer. His sister Winifred and brother Percy appear to be living at 17 Lancaster Rd, Hitchin, possibly with another brother Fred (9) born after the 1901 census. The three are listed as nephews and nieces, which presumably would be to Maria, however there is another possibility.
There is a Maria Reynolds who married Daniel Farey in 1909, which ties in with the 1911 census of only being married for year, so possibly Christopher’s father, George, had died and his mother was the Maria who married Daniel. We haven’t found a death record which might make this scenario more certain.
He had served his apprenticeship with printer Messrs. Paternoster & Hales and had later worked in Scotland
Christopher married Nellie Florence Hunt (née b 14/9/1889) in 1917 in Hitchin.
Officially Christopher was recorded as born in Hitchin, Herts. and enlisting in Southend, Essex.
Wartime Service
Chistopher was allocated Regimental Number 102762 and was sent to the Western Front on 18 October 1915. He served at Arras, Messines, Albert and Ypres and was wounded on the Somme in 1916 and re-joined his battery after he recovered. In August 1917 he was in ‘B’ Battery of the 46th Brigade R.F.A., 14th (Light) Infantry Brigade, 2nd Corps of the 5th Army.
The Battery was involved in the Battle of Langemarck that commenced on the 16th August 1917 when the Battery was positioned in the vicinity of Hooge and supporting the attacks of the 56th Infantry Division, which was in front of the 14th Infantry Division. Very violent fighting took place with shelling all day and his death was almost certainly the result of shells hitting the battery position as he was not seen again after a shell-burst. His was reported missing and the killed.
He has no known grave and is remembered on Panels 4-6 and 162 of the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium.
Additional Information
After his death £7 16s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to Nellie, his widow on 2 November 1918. Later, a war gratuity of £10 was authorised to be paid to her on 4 November 1919.
His pension cards record, his widow Nellie Florence of 119 Whinbush Road, Hitchin, as his next of kin. She was awarded a grant of £5 on 8 August 1918 and a pension of 13s 9d a week from 15 April 1918.
Acknowledgments
David C Baines, Jonty Wild
