Private 17822 Frank Reynolds

Killed in Action on Tuesday, 5th June 1917, age 20.
Commemorated on Bay 2 and 3 of Arras Memorial, Pas De Calais, France.

21st (Tyneside Scottish) Bn., Northumberland Fusiliers. 102nd Brigade of 34th Division.

Son of Benjamin and Sarah Reynolds, of 2 William Street, Walsall, Staffs.
Born: Great Bridge, Enlisted: Wolverhampton, Resident: Unknown.

First landed France & Flanders, 29th June 1916.
Medal entitlement: British War Medal, Victory Medal.
Soldier's Papers at National Archives did not survive.

Not commemorated on any Tipton memorial, but commemorated on the Walsall Roll of Honour.
Commemorated here because identified as Tipton on 'Soldiers Died in the Great War'.

Link to Commonwealth War Graves Site: www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/1620538/

Genealogical Data

Birth of Frank Reynolds registered September quarter 1897 in Walsall.

1901 Census
58 Hospital Street, Walsall, Staffs.
Benjamin Reynolds (38, Railway Engine Driver, born Walsall), his wife Sarah (35, born Lawley, Shropshire), and their 5 children: John (10, born Walsall), George (9, born Walsall), Ada (7, born Walsall), Florrie (5, born Walsall), and Frank (3, born Walsall).

1911 Census
2 William Street, Walsall, Staffs.
Benjamin Reynolds (48, Engine Driver, born Walsall), his wife Sarah (45, born Lawley, Shropshire), and 7 of their 8 surviving children of 10: John Edward (20, Engine Cleaner, born Walsall), Ada (17, Warehouse Worker, born Walsall), Eliza Florence (15, Machinist, born Walsall), Frank (13, School, born Walsall), Arthur (8, School, born Walsall), Sidney (6, School, born Walsall), and Edith May (2, born Walsall).

Personal Data

Frank is not truly a Tipton man; his birth certificate shows he was born in North Street Walsall, and he seems to have lived in Walsall all his life. ‘Soldiers Died in the Great War’ incorrectly shows Frank being born in Great Bridge and it is on that basis that he is included here.

Frank had an elder brother, George, who was killed on 16th June 1915 at Bellewaarde, near Ypres in Belgium, serving with the 3rd Battalion, Worcestershire Regiment.

Frank enlisted in the 1st Battalion, Northumberland Fusiliers at Wolverhampton in February 1915; he had been employed by D. Powers and Sons Limited of Plume Works, Long Street, Walsall. He was drafted to France on Tuesday 29 June 1915.

On 22 July 1916 he was wounded during the Battle of the Somme, receiving a Gun Shot Wound to the lower jaw. He was treated briefly at the 1/2 London Field Ambulance at Mericourt, then evacuated back to the UK. He returned to active service in February 1917 and was transferred to the 19th and then 21st Battalions, Northumberland Fusiliers.

After Frank’s death, his outstanding army pay and allowances amounted to £4/19/8d (4 pounds, 19 shillings and 8 pence); this was paid to his father, Benjamin Reynolds, in May 1918. His War Gratuity was £10/0/0d (10 pounds exactly). The value of the War Gratuity suggests that Frank had enlisted in approximately February 1915.

Frank's mother, Sarah Reynods, was awarded a Dependant's Pension of 3/6d (3 shillings and 6 pence) per week, effective from 15th February 1918, in respect of her sons Frank and George. Her address at this time was 2 William Street, Walsall. This pension transferred to her husband, Benjamin,on her death in 1926, and ceased on Benjamin’s death in 1932.

Action resulting in his death

Although the Battle of Arras officially ended on 16th May 1917, attacks continued on German positions to the east of Arras. On 5th June 1917, the four battalions of Northumberland Fusiliers (NF) constituting 102nd Brigade (Tyneside Scottish) were ordered to attack the western slope of Greenland Hill, near Rouex. Frank’s battalion (21st NF) was in the centre, with 20th NF on their right, and 22nd NF on their left. The 24th NF was in reserve.

Greenland Hill, south of Gavrelle, was a dominant feature giving the enemy a commanding view of Gavrelle and Roeux. Frank was killed in this attack which aimed to secure German trenches on Greenland Hill. His battalion were to take Charlie and Cupid Trenches in front of their own, advance to Cuthbert and Cod Support Trenches and thence establish a series of strong points.

The attack commenced at 8pm on the day of Frank’s death. The objectives were met and 6 strong-points established. The Germans counter-attacked at 11pm, however this was beaten off and the gains were retained.

During this successful attack, the 21st NF had 2 Officers and 57 Other Ranks killed. Frank, like the majority of his comrades killed alongside him, has no known grave and is commemorated on the Arras Memorial to the Missing.

Newspaper Cuttings

The Walsall Observer, and South Staffordshire Chronicle, August 11th 1917
ROLL OF HONOUR, N.C.O.s AND MEN
MISSING
Private Frank Reynolds, a single man, 20 years of age, is officially reported missing since being in action with the Northumberland Fusiliers on June 5. An apprentice at Messrs D. Power and Sons Ltd., Plume Works, Long Street, he enlisted in February 1915, and has seen 18 months active service in France. He was wounded while serving on the Somme in July 1916, and returned to France in February this year. If any comrade can supply information will he please communicate with Mr. B. Reynolds, 2 William Street, Walsall. A brother, Pte G. Reynolds of the Worcesters, was killed in action on June 16, 1915.