Name
Albert Sorrel Reed
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
27/09/1918
37
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Private
36441
Princess Charlotte of Wales’ (Royal Berkshire) Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
VILLERS HILL BRITISH CEMETERY, VILLERS-GUISLAIN
VI. E. 25.
France
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Sawbridgeworth Town Memorial, Great St Mary’s Church Memorial, Sawbridgeworth, Not listed on the Hertfordshire Regimental Memorial, All Saints Church, Hertford
Pre War
Albert was the son of Samuel and Emily Reed born in January 1882 and was baptised in May that year. He lived at 2 Clay Lane (West Road) with his family. In the 1901 and 1911 census returns he is recorded as a Builder’s or Bricklayer’s Labourer.
He was resident in Sawbridgeworth when he enlisted in Hertford.
Wartime Service
Albert was formerly 5771 in the Hertfordshire Regiment meaning that he enlisted after 1st November 1915. He was transferred to the 5th Battalion Royal Berkshire Regiment.
This Battalion arrived in France on 31 May 1915 via Boulogne, and went on to see action at Loos, Somme and Amiens. It seems likely that Alberts was with them.
In September 1918, Albert’s Battalion was involved in the final advance in Artois. The date given for Albert’s death is 27 September 1918 and it is likely that he died of wounds received from an action of the previous day. At 0300 on the 26 September near Nurlu in France, the Battalion attacked two features called ‘Dados Trench’ and ‘The Loop’. This attack was unsuccessful, with some casualties, one of whom must have been Albert.
Albert Reed is buried at Villers Hill British Cemetery, Villers-Guislain, France. He was aged 36.
Additional Information
Albert is also commemorated on the family headstone in Sawbridgeworth (Great St. Mary) Churchyard. His part of the inscription reads:
ALSO ALBERT SORRELL REED.
SON OF THE ABOVE (Samuel & Emily Reed). WHO WAS KILLED IN ACTION
SEPT 7TH 1918. AGED 37(*1)
*1 CWGC records 35.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Douglas Coe
