Soldier Record

My great-uncle Reg (full name James Reginald) was mother's only uncle, one boy in a family of five girls. Great uncle Reg left Liverpool with his Regiment on July 3rd 1915 to embark for the Dardanelles. He described the ship as absolutely magnificent and it carried 7,000 men. The name of ship is unknown, but it was accompanied by the Mauritania.

The ship sailed at 1.00 am and arrived at Gibraltar on Tues. July 6th, continuing to Malta and arriving on July 8th. The voyage was quite enjoyable with the soldiers playing cards and relaxing on deckchairs. Malta appeared to be well-guarded with warships and destroyers everywhere. They sailed on after being 'lost' for 36 hrs then into the Aegean Sea, the first part of the Dardanelles. On Sat. July 10th they were surrounded by English, French and Italian battleships.

Unfortunately Uncle Reg was badly injured in the fighting with C Company after displaying much courage in rescuing a wounded officer, Major CAT Oulton, West Yorkshire Regiment, under heavy fire. Uncle Reg and others were taken to hospital, presumably back in England, then shipped out to France. Whilst involved in the Battle of the Somme, he was severely wounded and died on 27th September. He was buried in Bronfay Farm Military Cemetery, Bray-sur-Somme, 8 km SE of Albert. His mother was subsequently presented with the Military Medal which her son had been awarded posthumously, and he was promoted to Lance-Corporal, also posthumously. His family were naturally very proud of him, and I should like very much to visit his grave some time.