Name
Reginald Percy Sell
1899
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
29/10/1919
20
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
G/18452
Royal Sussex Regiment
17th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
KANTARA WAR MEMORIAL CEMETERY
A. 109.
Egypt
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hitchin Town Memorial, St Mary's Church Roll of Honour (Book), Hitchin
Pre War
Reginald was born in 1899 in Hitchin and christened/baptised on 8 June 1899. His parents were Jeffrey and Emmeline (sometimes Emily) Sell.
In 1901 the family were living at 68 Tilehouse Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents: Jeffrey (26) and Emmeline (27), with Jeffrey and working as an engineer’s labourer. Their children were: William (6), Arthur (4), Reginald (2) and Florence – 1 month old.
By 1911 the family were living at 13 and 14 Chapmans Yard, Queen Street, Hitchin. Present were both parents, Jeffrey now an engineer’s miller for a boiler maker. The census recorded they had been married for 16 years with 7 children, all living. All the children listed above were present plus Walter (7), Leslie (4) and Harry (1).
Wartime Service
Records show that Reginald was originally Private 267121, first in the Kent Cyclist Battalion, then 4 (Reserve) Royal West Kent Regiment then 7 Royal West Kent and then G/18452 in the 17th Battalion Royal Sussex. However, this appears to be at odds with his entry in the National Roll of the Great War. These were normally placed by family members using what they knew and are not always 100% correct, but this source records that Reginald joined up in April 1917 was in the Royal Army Service Corps and engaged in transporting ammunition and supplies through Palestine and was present at the battles of Gaza, Juffra and others.
What is definitely the case is that he was that at the time of his death he was with the 17th Battalion of the Royal Sussex Regiment with the Regimental Number G/18452 and he died of disease.
He was buried in Row A, Grave 109 in the Kantara War Memorial Cemetery in Egypt. Kantara, on the Egyptian side of the canal, about 20 miles from Port Said which was the site of the 24th Stationary Hospital. Convoys of wounded and sick men came in most days. Many had malignant malaria with temperatures of 104-105°F. Also numerous delirious pneumonia cases. The same site was used during World War II by No. 1 British General Hospital. The cemetery was used for fatalities from the hospital.
Additional Information
After his death £25 18s 1d pay owing was authorised to go to his father Jeffrey, possibly on 27 February 1920, which included a war gratuity of £1 17s 6d.
His pension cards record his mother as his next of kin and living at 13 Chapman’s Yard, Hitchin.
Acknowledgments
Adrian Dunne, David C Baines, Jonty Wild
