Military History

Reginald is listed as dying of wounds on 10th May 1918 and he was subsequently buried in the Aubigny Communal Cemetery which at that time was used by the 42nd and 57th Casualty Clearing Stations for their burials. The 7th Battalion war diary entries for the period 8th to 11th May are transcribed below and we leave readers to draw their own conclusions as to when Reginald was wounded.

Busnettes – 8 May 1918: The battalion marched to billets in L’Ecleme

L’Ecleme - 9 May 1918 – 9.30am: Training was commenced but at 9.30am the Battalion was put on short notice as a hostile attack was developing N of the La Bassee Canal.

At 2.30pm the Battalion left L’Ecleme and marched forward into the Battle area taking up a position along the Lawe River which it held until the evening of the 10^th.

Lawe River – 10 May 1918 – 8pm: A heavy attack from the left flank forced the Battalion back on a general line from R.15½.a.2.2 to R.22.d.4.9 to R.21.c.1.3.

La Croix Marmuse Paradis – 11 May 1918: At dawn (5.30am) on the 11^th a further hostile attack drove the Battalion back to the general line Bouzateux Farm – Paradis and thence about 11.30am through the 2^nd/6^th Warwicks, 61^st Division who were holding a line E of Pacaut.

1pm: The remnants of the Battalion were reported at Cornet Malo and at 5pm a support position 200 yards W of Cornet Aux Loups was taken up.

5pm: The night passed quietly but at dawn [12^th] enemy lights were seen going up in the vicinity of Brigade HQ.