William Arthur Reynolds was born in 1892 to Alfred and Emily Reynolds. He was the youngest of three children.
In 1911, the eighteen year old William was living at home with his parents and two sisters at 389 Barking Road, Plaistow. He is recorded in the census as being a student of engineering.
William enlisted in the army with the Hampshire Regiment, but transferred to the 8th Battalion, Royal Warwickshire Regiment. He arrived in France with his Battalion on 21st May 1916 as part of 182 Brigade 61 Division. Their first engagement was the Battle of Fromelles on 19th July 1916. This was a great failure with many casualties, and the fighting qualities of the Division were called into question by Senior Officers. As a result the Division spent many months occupying trenches rather than taking part in operations. This was not without risk however. On 29th October 1916 it is recorded that William Reynolds Died from Wounds.
He was buried in Merville Communal Cemetery Extension in Calais, France. His name also appears on the Highfield Southampton War Memorial.
Research by Adrian Lee and Redbridge Museum
Sources:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Ancestry.com