2nd Lieutenant Reginald Sidney Strange

Rank or Title

Date of Birth

28 Nov 1894

Date of Death

17 Oct 1918

War time / or Pre War occupation

Draper

Employer

Family business

Place of Birth

Luton
United Kingdom

World War I Address

206 Dunstable Road
Beech Hill
Luton
United Kingdom

Place of Death

France

Grave Location

La Vallee-Mulatre Communal Cemetery Extension
France

War Memorial Location

Soldier or Civilian

  • Soldier

Source

Beds & Herts Saturday Telegraph , 26th October 1918
2nd Lieut Reginald Sidney Strange

Sec Lieut Reginald Sydney Strange, attached 1st Battalion Northants Regiment, was killed in action at Le Cateau in France on October 17th, 1918. He was single and a month short of his 24th birthday.

He belonged to a Luton family which had traded in the town as drapers and outfitters since 1832. His father Arthur continued the family link to the firm, and in the 1911 Census Reginald was described as a draper's assistant.

In a letter to Arthur and his wife Lily at 206 Dunstable Road, Beech Hill, Capt Arthur Phillips wrote that their only son had been hit by a machine gun bullet and died instantly. His body had been buried at the village of La Vallee-Mulatre, about five miles south of Le Cateau where Reginald fell. A cross was being erected over his grave with his name and regiment printed on it, so that his final resting place could be marked and preserved.

Reginald Strange was educated at Dunstable Grammar School and was a keen cricketer. He later joined the family business, but volunteered for military service when war broke out. He was rejected on three occasions, but when finally accepted in December 1916 was trained for a commission as a cadet at Newmarket.

According to his military record, he gained the British War Medal and Victory Medal while serving in the ranks with the 3rd Wiltshire Regiment and Beds Regiment, from whom he was attached to the Northants Regiment upon gaining his commission.

He is commemorated on the Luton Roll of Honour/War Memorial and in the Book of Life compiled at Luton Parish Church.

Individual Location

2nd Lieut Reginald Sidney Strange

Author: Deejaya

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