Private Reginald Seabrook Sadler
| Date of Birth | c.1897 |
|---|---|
| Age at Death | 19 |
| Date of Death | 23 February 1917 |
| Service Number | 61833 |
| Military Service | 13th Battalion, London Regiment |
| Merton Address | 14 Waterfall Road, Colliers Wood |
| Local Memorial | Christ Church, Colliers Wood |
Additional Information
Born in 1897 in Whitstable on Sea, Kent, Reginald was the eldest son of William and Edith Sadler. The couple also had two daughters – Ida (born in 1896) and Alice (born in 1900). In 1901 the family was living at 330 Balham High Road. Reginald’s father was a self-employed upholsterer and his mother was also working in the family business.
By 1911 the family had moved to 20 Carwell Street, Tooting. William was still following the same line of work but had to support a growing family. Thirteen year old Reginald now had four more siblings - Jessie, William Albert, Stanley and Robert. Sadly his eldest sister Ida seems to have died in 1910.
While employed as a Grocer’s Assistant, on 15 November 1915 at the age of 18 years, Reginald enlisted at Streatham. He was recorded as being 5ft 10in tall, with a weight of 122 lbs. He initially served with the East Surrey Regiment (Service No. 19211), but later became a Private with the 13th Battalion, City of London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers). The 13th was a Service Battalion, formed at Hounslow as part of the Third New Army. It later joined troops attached to the 24th Division and by March 1915, was under the command of the 111th Brigade in the 37th Division. Reginald and his comrades were eventually sent to France, landing at Boulogne on 30 July 1915.
Reginald is thought to have seen action in the Battle of Ancre (13 – 18 November, 1916). Here, the 37th Division suffered 2469 losses, resulting both from sickness and war wounds. Reginald died on 23 February 1917. Although no major battles were recorded on that date, the regimental war diary reported that his battalion was based in the Hulluch trenches which were hit by 15 enemy trench mortars. There was also heavy machine gun fire on both sides. Reginald was amongst the injured and died of his wounds, aged just nineteen. He is buried at the Barlin Communal Cemetery Extension in France and is also commemorated locally at Christ Church, Colliers Wood.
At the time of Reginald’s death, his family were living at 14 Waterfall Road, Colliers Wood. Records show that his mother received the sum of £5, 2 shillings and 1 penny on his death, which included a £3.00 War Gratuity.