Frank Reynolds

Rank 
Second Lieutenant
Regiment 
Sherwood Foresters (Notts and Derby Regiment)
Date of death 
13 September 1916
Age of death 
24
Address 
Forest Lodge
Oak Hill
Woodford Green
Woodford
IG8 9NY
Address source 
1911 Census
Cemetery / Memorial 
France
Biography 

Born at Leyton on 25th November 1891, the younger son of Walter (retired Licensed Victualler) and Rebecca Ann Reynolds. Since the 1850s the family had run the “Lion and Key” pub in Leyton High Road. 1901: With his family at Forest Lodge, Oak Hill, Woodford Green (Walthamstow). 1911: A Science Student at University College, working for a BSC in Chemistry, still with his family at Forest Lodge. A later address was given for his mother of “Highclere”, 14 Snakes Lane Woodford Green. This thoughtful Old Bancroftian noted for his sense of duty, acted as a Sidesman and Secretary of the Church of England Missionary Society at All Saints Church. He enjoyed studying the wildlife in the forest, recounting nights spent up a tree while listening to the sounds around him. His father died in 1914.

He was still studying when war broke out, but after his final exams joined the Artists Rifles in November 1914, arriving in France during February 1915. In October 1915 he was Commissioned into the Sherwood Foresters. Following a spell at the Grenade School in France, he became Company Bomb Officer. Further training saw him attached to 71 Trench Mortar Battery from the spring of 1916.

On 13th September 1916 the Battalion was involved in the attack on the Quadrilateral near Ginchy. Initially in reserve, “D” Coy was ordered into action during the evening, managing to advance some 700 yards until stopped by shelling and machine gun fire. Lt W.E. Brand later said “D” Coy stared death in the face and carried on advancing until only two men were left. It was a splendid charge”. Frank Reynolds was seen leading the men of his section in the attack and being almost immediately wounded in the arm, but he ignored it and carried on. When the attack became bogged down he put his men under cover and carried on alone to observe, but was killed instantly.

His name is recorded in the UCL Roll of Honour.

Research by Adrian Lee, Local Historian

Sources:

Ancestry.com

Woodford Times

The Bancroftian

UCL Roll of Honour

For more information on this individual please see The Old Bancroftian website.