Reeves, Henry (aka Reevs, Henry)

Summary

Father:
Mother:

Birth: c 1890
Birth Source: CWGC.org

Death: April 1918, France
Death Source: CWGC.org

Spouse1: Annie F. E. Freestone

Narrative

The bulk of the information known 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.

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:  
Marriage:
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:
1901 Census:
1911 Census:

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