Reeves, Henry (aka Reevs, Henry)

Summary

Father: Thomas James Reeves
Mother: Ada Emma Hiscock

Birth: 18 Mar 1888, Poplar, Middlesex
Birth Source: CWGC.org

Death: 25 Apr 1918, France
Death Source: CWGC.org

Spouse1: Annie Frances Evelyn Freestone, m. 29 Mar 1917, Poplar St Frideswide, Middlesex

Narrative

Baptism from Poplar, All Hallows, Middlesex Parish Registers:

• (born) March 18th 1888 | 1888 April 13th | Henry | Thomas James & Ada Emma | Reeves | 11 Ba?lett Street | Shedman | Reginald E Adderley

Marriage from Poplar St Frideswide, Middlesex Parish Registers:

• March 29th 1917 | Henry Reeves | 27 | Bachelor | Soldier | 26 Sydney? Buildings | Thomas James Reeves (deceased) | Shedman (to) Annie Frances Evelyn Freestone | 25 | Spinster | 265 Leonard's | Henry Thomas Freestone | Police Constable

GRO Index entries for Henry and his siblings indicate his mother's maiden name was Hiscock.

In 1891, Henry was age 5, born in Poplar, Middlesex, living in Poplar with his parents Thomas J. (41) and Ada A. (41).

In 1901, Henry was age 13, born in Poplar, Middlesex, living in Poplar with his parents Tom (53) and Ada E. (48).

Henry appears in 1911 as a son, age 22, born in Poplar, Middlesex in the household of his mother Ada Emma Reeves (age 58) in Poplar.

Further information about Henry comes from his entry in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's records. They note he was 28 years old at the time of his death in 1918, suggesting he was born about 1890.

Whilst serving as Private 33309 in "B" Company, 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment, Henry died in northern France in April 1918, He is buried in the Merville Communal Cemetery Extension, in the Nord département of France (FR-59). The CWGC additionally notes "Husband of A. F. E. Hardy (formerly Reevs), of 17, Caxton St., Bow, London." The CWGC seems to be alone in recording this individual as Henry REEVS (sic), see Research Note 1 below.

The death of Private 33309 of the Devon Regiment in 1918 is included in the GRO Index to War Deaths 1914-1921. Army (other Ranks) page 3013 as Henry Reeves, year 1918, vol I.59, page 146

There is also a record for Private 33309 Henry Reeves of the 1st Battalion of the Devonshire Regiment in "Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914-1918". That gives his place of birth as Poplar, Middlesex.

Pension Index and Ledger card shows that Henry died 25 Apr 1918, killed in action. The widow was Annie Francis of 10 Routon Rd. Date of birth written 7 Apr 1892. This appears to be Annie's date of birth based on her birth registration from Apr 1892 in Colchester.

Research Notes

(1) The name Henry Reeves is relatively common in this era and the early life of this individual has yet to be determined. The initial information about Henry came from the record of his sacrifice during WW1 noted by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. However they have Henry recorded as Henry REEVS (sic), see http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/540156/REEVS,%20HENRY

However, all other records so far found suggest his surname was REEVES and not Reevs.

Assuming he was born in England or Wales (which is not certain, but he is noted in later records as being in London), FreeBMD has only four birth entries for REEVS in the period 1880-1900, two are with female names and none are for a Henry. There are 49 entries for Henry REEVES in the shorter period 1888-1892.

The CWGC Additional Notes of "Husband of A. F. E. Hardy (formerly Reevs), of 17, Caxton St., Bow, London." provide some further clues.

There is one Reevs marriage in the period 1900-1918, of Henry Reevs in 1q1908 in Salford Registration District. The potential partners are Lily Brodley/Bradley and Rebecca Morris neither of which match the initials "A.F.E" and Salford is somewhat distant from the London area.

However, there is a marriage registration in 1q1917 in the Poplar Registration District of London of Henry REEVES and Annie F. E. Freestone and also a marriage registration in 3q1921 again in Poplar Registration District of Annie E. F. REEVES (sic, the initials are reversed) to Sidney J HARDY.

His death in 1918 is recorded in the GRO Index to War Deaths 1914-1921 Army (Other Ranks) as "Reeves, Henry     Pte 33309 Devon".

Sources

Birth:        CWGC
Baptism:   Poplar, All Hallows, Middlesex Parish Baptism Register 1883-1901, P88/Frd/002
Marriage:  Poplar St Frideswide, Middlesex Parish Marriage Register 1905-1939, P88/FRD/011
Death:     GRO Index to War Deaths 1914-1921 Army (Other Ranks) page 3013
                CWGC http://www.cwgc.org/find-war-dead/casualty/540156/REEVS,%20HENRY

1891 Census:  RG 12, Piece 323, Folio 93, Page 17, Schedule 97
1901 Census:  RG 13, Piece 353, Folio 5, Page 2, Schedule 11
1911 Census:  RG 14, Piece 1699, RD 22, Reg. SD 2, ED 22, Schedule 295

UK, World War I Pension Ledgers and Index Cards, 1914-1923 (Ancestry)

From Soldiers Died in the Great War, 1914-1918 at FindMyPast

First name(s)    HENRY
Last name        REEVES
Service number   33309
Rank             PRIVATE
Regiment         Devonshire Regiment
Battalion        1st Battalion.
Birth place      POPLAR, MIDDLESEX
Residence        POPLAR
Enlistment place CANNING TOWN, ESSEX
Death year       1918
Death day        25
Death month      4
Cause of death   Killed in action
Death place      France & Flanders
Theatre of war   Western European Theatre