Reginald George Whale

A Rifleman with 1st Battalion, Reginald died on 1st of November 1918 at the age of 20. 

Reginald was born at Lowestoft on 12 January 1893, a son of George and Mary Ann Whale. In 1901 his family lived at 85 Oxford Road, Lowestoft, and later lived at 22 Kimberley Road, Lowestoft. Reginald attended Church Road School and, from 27 September 1909, became a pupil at Saint John’s School. Lowestoft. By 1911 his family were living at 19 South Elmham Terrace, Victoria Road, Oulton Broad. Later his parents lived at 18 Wellington Road, Pakefield, Lowestoft.   

By 1915 Reginald was a labourer and, in 1916, was working as a boiler cleaner. He had been convicted of larceny in 1915 and, in 1916, was sentenced to three years detention at a borstal for stealing lead. See The Police Gazette 7 July 1916, page 4 and The Thetford and Watton Times, 29 April 1916, page 4. 

Reginald must have had an early release from borstal as he enlisted in the Army. He enlisted at Whitehall, London. He joined the Rifle Brigade, service number 38626. Reginald was posted to the 1st Battalion in France. 

On 1 November 1918 the 1st Battalion attacked enemy positions east of the Rhonelle River at Preseau. The artillery put down a creeping barrage and the attack went well. There was light resistance, but the objective was gained. However, the Battalion lost touch with the flanks and the enemy made immediate string counter attacks on each flank and the men were forced back through Preseau after severe fighting. In the evening the Battalion was relieved by the 2nd Battalion Seaforth Highlanders. 

In the attack eight officers were wounded and among the other ranks the casualties were 51 killed, including Reginald, 200 wounded and 13 missing.

Reginald’s brother Edward served with the 2nd Battalion Norfolk Regiment and died in Mesopotamia in 1917.