Name
Horace Hedley Reginald Rolfe
27 Feb 1891
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
26/09/1916
25
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Air Mechanic 2nd Class
16186
Royal Flying Corps
1st Wing H.Q.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
BARLIN COMMUNAL CEMETERY EXTENSION
I. D. 42.
France
Headstone Inscription
Sometime, Some Day We'll Understand
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring, We are not aware of memorial in Green End
Pre War
Horace Hedley Reginald Rolfe (also known as Reggie) was born in Tring on 27 Feb 1891, to Frederick Rolfe, coal merchants assistant, and Agnes (nee Cherry).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Gertrude (born 1886), Reginald, were living at 4, Albert Street, Tring.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Gertrude (bookkeeper), Reginald, Gladys (born 1893), Hilda (born 1896), Doris (born 1897) were living at ‘the Arnold’, 14 Western Road, Tring.
He married Caroline Doris Plater on the 28 October 1914 at Aston Clinton near Tring.
Wartime Service
Known as "Reggie", he joined the Royal Flying Corps on the 13 December 1915, having previously served with the Royal Buckinghamshire Hussars. On the 25 September 1916 he was acting as an Observer in a BE2c aircraft piloted by Second Lieutenant Reginald Stanley Haward, when the aircraft was struck by German anti-aircraft fire. Reggie was taken to No.6 Casualty Clearing Station near Barlin, where he died from his injuries the following day.
From the Bucks Herald 7th October 1916: “News reached the friends of Airman H. H. R. Rolfe last week that he was very ill in France, and that permission could not be given for anyone to see him. The vague nature of the communication naturally gave rise to the most alarming surmises, and all attempts to obtain more definite information were ineffective.
On Sunday a letter reached Tring from the sister in charge of the clearing station [Cemetery records suggest this was No.6 Casualty Clearing Station at Barlin, west of Lens] saying that Reginald Rolfe, who had been in the hospital wounded, passed away on the evening of September 26. Further particulars are given in a letter from a chum. It appears that Airman Rolfe was crossing the enemy’s lines when his machine was hit by a German anti-aircraft shell and he was badly wounded. He did not fully recover consciousness after he was struck. Several officers of the R.F.C. were present at his funeral, which was conducted by one of the Chaplains to the Forces. Horace Hedley Reginald Rolfe, who was always known as ‘Reggie’, was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs Frederick Rolfe, of Western-road, Tring, and before joining the Colours was associated with his father in business, taking a special interest in the firm’s motor traffic undertakings. In December, 1915, he joined the R.F.C. as an air mechanic, and after a short period of training at the Curragh, Ireland, went to France. He was qualifying for a commission as a flight lieutenant, and at the time of his last flight was undergoing a period of probation as an observer.
‘Reggie’ Rolfe was a young man of great daring and courage; flying always had for him a great fascination, and had his life been spared − he was only 26 − he would doubtless have worthily sustained the reputation of the R.F.C. for fearless valour. It is evident from the letters received from his friends that ‘Reggie’ was very popular among his comrades. He was a frequent and acceptable performer at concerts got up by the men, his violin playing being greatly appreciated.
The greatest sympathy is expressed to his young wife, his parents, and the other members of his family. His early death is a tragedy, but the circumstances of his death were just such as he himself would have wished.”
Reg’s young widow, Doris, received a letter of condolence from Reggie’s commanding officer: 1 October 1916. . . . I am sorry to say he was not with us for long. He came on probation as an observer on the 20th of last month. On the 25th he went out with Lieut. Haward over the lines. They were unfortunately hit by anti-aircraft fire, all the controls being cut. The machine fell in our lines and some sappers immediately went to the assistance of your husband and Lieut. Haward. I am sorry to say that your husband sustained injuries in the crash, from which he did not recover . . . .
Yours sincerely,
P. C. Maltby,
Royal Flying Corps, B.E.F.
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £3 and arrears of £3 8s 8d was paid to his widow.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild, Paul Johnson
