Reginald George Ward ©
| Date of birth: | 1898 |
| Place of birth: | Southampton |
| Service No.: | 34303 / 70879 |
| Rank: | Private |
| Regiment: | Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry / Devonshire Regiment |
| Battalion: | 2nd / 4th |
| Died: | 12th May 1918 aged 19 years |
| Death location: | France and Flanders |
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
Although Reginald’s Service Papers show he was born in Bridgewater, his birth index shows he was born in Southampton.
His father William was born in Southampton in 1867. His mother Kate, nee Love, was also born in 1867 but in North Waltham, Hampshire. William and Kate married in 1888.
Reginald had 4 siblings – 3 sisters and 1 brother:
Frances Ethel b.1889
William Herbert b.1893
Margaret Kathleen b.1896
Elsie Dorothea b.1900
In 1901 the family lived at 83 Alma Road, Portswood, Southampton. William senior had his own business as a Master Builder and was an employer. The family also employed a General Servant for house duties.
By 1911 the family had moved to 113 Avenue Road, Southampton. William still had his own business as a House Builder and Decorator. Frances was Assisting in the Home and William Herbert was an Apprentice Marine Engineer.
War Service
Old Tauntonians’ Memorial Roll
Time at Taunton’s School: 1912 – 1914
Education and Employment: Reginald was born in 1898 in Southampton. He won the Chipperfield Moral Worth Prize while at Taunton’s School.
Life during the war: Reginald’s family lived in the Portswood area of Southampton. His father was a House Builder and Decorator. Reginald served first with the Devon Regiment and then with the 2nd/4th Battalion of the Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry. He was killed while fighting in France.
St Venant Robecq Road Cemetery
Reginald died on 12th May 1918 aged 19 years.
Reginald is Remembered with Honour at the St. Venant-Robecq Road British Cemetery, Robecq, France. The Memorial Register reads:
“Ward, Pte. Reginald George, 34303. 2nd/4th Bn. Oxf. And Bucks Light Inf. 12th May, 1918. Age 19. Son of William and Kate ward, of43, Portswood Rd., Southampton. II. B. 8.”
Personal Effects – As his next of kin, William, his father, received his son’s back payments of £4 10s 10d on 31st October 1918, and a War Gratuity of £4 10s on 1st December 1919.
For his service to his country, Reginald was entitled to the British Service and Victory Medals.
| Researcher: | Becky Lonergan |
| Published: | 6th September 2015 |
| Updated: | Insert dates here |
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