Reeves, Harry

Summary

Father: Henry William Reeves
Mother: Charlotte MARKS

Birth: c 1878, Swanmore Hampshire
Birth Source: Census & FreeBMD

Death: June 1916
Death Source: CWGC

Spouse1: Clara Jessie WEBB

Narrative

Harry Reeves is the third known child of Henry William Reeves and his wife Charlotte (nee MARKS). His birth was registered in the Droxford Registration District during the first quarter of 1878.

At the time of the 1881 census, Harry appears in his parents home at Hill Cross, Swanmore, Hampshire. He is 3 years old and his place of birth is given as Droxford.

On the 1891 census, Harry again appears in his parent's home, now at Cott Street, Swanmore, where he is one of seven children in the household. He is now 13 years old and his place of birth is given as Swanmore. Whilst very faint on the image, it is believed his occupation is shown as Scholar.

Harry has yet to be identified on the 1901 census. He was not at his parent's home.

Harry Reeves and Clara Jessie WEBB were married during the second quarter of 1909 in the Portsmouth Registration District. Note, however, that on the 1911 census Clara indicates she has been married 5 years.

The four known children of Harry Reeves and Clara Jessie (nee WEBB) are

1. Jessie Lilian F Reeves, born 1908 (B.Reg. 2q1908)
2. Edna Maud H Reeves, born 1910 (B.Reg. 2q1910)
3. Bertha Reeves, born 1912 (B.Reg. 4q1912)
4. Harry Reeves, born 1916 (B.Reg 3q1916)

There is also one unknown child born prior to April 1911¹.

On the night of the 1911 census, Harry was on board HMS Essex which was in Palma Bay off the coast of Palma, Majorca in the Balearic Islands. His rank is recorded as "Leading Stoker". He is 33 years old, married and claims birth in Swanmore, Hampshire. At the same time, his wife Clara was living at 74 Elm Road, Portsmouth with their two surviving children, Jessie & Edna. Clara describes herself as "Wife" rather than "Head", claiming to have been married 5 years. In addition to the two surviving children, she notes that one child has died¹.

Harry's death is recorded on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website. 

As Petty Officer Stoker 1st Class 285854 he was killed in action at the Battle of Jutland on board HMS Fortune. He is buried in the Kviberg Cemetry in Swedish city of Gothenburg along with four ship-mates.   CWGC additionally notes "Son of William and Charlotte Reeves; husband of Mrs. Reeves, of 74, Elm Rd., Mile End, Portsmouth. Born at Swanmore, Bishop's Waltham, Hants."

As a resident of Portsmouth, it is believed Harry's sacrifice is recorded on the Portsmouth Cenotaph as "Reeves H." within the Navy panels, along with four other individuals who share the surname Reeves; "Reeves C.N." (army), "Reeves F." (navy), "Reeves H.R." (army) and "Reeves R." (navy). ^7, 8, 9.

Research Notes

FreeBMD lists a number of children with the surname Reeves whose birth and death was registered in the Portsmouth Registration District between 1q1904 and 4q1908 (when Jessie was born). Based purely on given name patterns, one might speculate that Clara Vera A Reeves (B.Reg. 3q1906 & D.Reg 3q1907 aged 1) was possibly the child of Harry & Clara. The possibility that a first child might have been registered under their mother's surname of WEBB should not be discounted.

CWGC notes his father as William Reeves. William's birth registration and baptism were in the name of Henry William Reeves; he seems to have preferred William Henry in later life. See Reeves_Henry_William_3328.

The GRO Index to Naval War Deaths 1914-1921 (page 300) confirms "Reeves, Harry Sto. P.O. Fortune 1916"

Sources

Birth:        FreeBMD - 1878, March quarter, Droxford Registration District
Baptism:  
Marriage: FReeBMD M.Reg 1909, June quarter, Portsmouth Reg. Dist.
Death:      GRO Index Page 300
                 CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/4028304/REEVES,%20HARRY

1881 Census: RG11, Piece 1238, Folio 93 face, Page 7
1891 Census: RG12, Piece 0943, Folio 80 face, Page 3
1901 Census:
1911 Census: RG14, Piece 34971, Reg.Dist. RN2, Enum. Dist. HMS Essex, Page 16, Line 8

¹   1911 Census - wife Clara - RG14, Piece 05482, Reg.Dist. 90 (Portsmouth), Sub Dist. 1, Enum.Dist. 4, Schedule 072
⁷   Portsmouth Cenotaph - http://www.memorials.inportsmouth.co.uk/city-centre/cenotaph.htm
⁸   Portsmouth Cenotaph - Army Names - Panel 9 - Mitchell H. to
Shepherd H.
⁹   Portsmouth Cenotaph - Navy Names - Panel 4 - Parsons E. to Waight F.