Frank Herbert Reeves ©
| Date of birth: | 1899 |
| Place of birth: | Southampton |
| Service No.: | 29457 (formerly 34100) |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Somerset Light Infantry (formerly Cavalry Regiment) |
| Battalion: | 6th |
| Died: | 15th May 1918 aged 19 years |
| Death location: | Prisoner of War Camp, Germany |
This photograph is © Richard Taunton Sixth Form College. Southampton Cenotaph Families and Friends Group have received permission to reproduce this photograph and extracts from the narrative on the Old Tauntonians’ online War Memorial:http://www.ota-southampton.org.uk/memorial/index.html
Please do not reproduce the photograph or any wording from this page. If you want permission to use this photograph or narrative please contact the College on email@richardtaunton.ac.uk.
Life before the War
Frank’s parents, Charles Richard and Mary
Frank was the son of Charles Richard and Mary, nee Pullen. Charles was born on 3rd December 1867, Sevington, Kent, dying in Southampton in 1949, leaving a Probate naming a daughter and son:
“Reeves Charles Richard of 405 Shirley Road Southampton died 18 May 1948 at 310 Hill Lane Southampton. Probate Winchester 28 September 1949 to Mabel Jane Reeves spinster and Reginald William Reeves tobacconist. Effects £2589 12s 5d”
Frank’s mother was born in 1865, Willesborough, Kent, passing away in 1949 leaving a probate naming a daughter and a son:
“Reeves Mary of 405 Shirley Road Southampton (wife of Charles Richard Reeves) died 24 April 1949. Probate Winchester 20 August 1949 to Mabel Jane Reeves spinster and Reginald William Reeves tobacconist. Effects £4177 3s 5d”
Frank was the third of six known children, though the 1911 census indicates there was a seventh sibling whose identity is unknown; however two of the children had passed away. His siblings, the two elder born in Kent, were:
Frank’s brother, Frederick George
Albert C b. 1895
Mabel Jane b.1896
Reginald William b. 1899
Frederick George b.10th June 1905 and died 1980. Married Myra Rosalie nee Hoare in 1931.
Hilda Mary Annie b.1909 and died 1981. Married Harold Dimmock.
By the time of the 1901 census Frank, along with his siblings, was living with their parents at 81 Paynes Road, Freemantle, Southampton. Charles was employed as a Commission Agent.
On the 1911 census Frank is found in his parent’s household at 95 Waterloo Road, Freemantle. Charles’ occupation was Prudential Agent (Assurance) whilst Mabel was employed by a Newspaper Officer as a Junior Clerk.
War Service
Old Tauntonians’ Memorial Roll
Time at Taunton’s School: 1909 – 1916
Education and Employment: Frank was born in 1899 in Southampton. He won an educational Committee Scholarship to attend Taunton’s School. Frank passed the University of London School examination with Distinction in Oral French, mental Arithmetic and History.
Life during the war: Frank attended school for the first two years of the war. He had participated in the Taunton’s exchange to Soissons, Aisne in 1911. Frank enlisted in Camberwell, Surrey, and served as a Private with the 6th Battalion of the Somerset Light Infantry. He was captured and held as a prisoner of war, and later died of weakness and dysentery at Stendal in Germany. He was buried in Annois Communal cemetery in Aisne, France.
Frank died on 15th May 1918 aged 19 years.
On an unknown date, Frank enlisted into the British Army at Camberwell, Surrey, joining the Somerset Light Infantry, regimental number 29457, rank Private and serving with the 6th Battalion.
Personal Effects – As his next of kin, father Charles received his son’s credits which were owed him plus a War Gratuity of £6, the total payment was £11 6s 3d and paid out on 29th August 1919.
Annois Communal Cemetery, France
Frank is Remembered with Honour at the Annois Communal Cemetery in the Aisne département of France. The Memorial Register reads:
“Reeves, Pte. F. N., 29457. 6th Bn. Somerset Light Inf. 15th May, 1918. Grave/Plot Reference I. C. 4”
Note: on the CWGC website, Frank’s initials are shown as F. N. But all relevant details are correct.
Historical Information
The CWGC web site notes that in May and June 1918 a German Field Hospital for prisoners was at the neighbouring village of Flavy-le-Martel and soldiers from the United Kingdom who died in the hospital were buried in Annois Communal Cemetery. Three individuals were brought to court for “mistreatment and abuse” and were found guilty at Leipzig. One of these individuals was Emil Muller, the camp commandant of Flavy-le-Martel, who was sentenced to six months for personal acts of violence against captives.
Frank’s sacrifice is also recorded on the Southampton Cenotaph and the modern Memorial Wall in Watts Park, Southampton.
For his service to his country, Frank was entitled to the British War and Victory Medals.
| Researcher: | Becky Lonergan |
| Published: | 14th August 2015 |
| Updated: | Insert dates here |
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