Name
Douglas Jolland Rew
1 Jan 1884
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
28/06/1917
33
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Second Lieutenant
Essex Regiment
5th Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
PHILOSOPHE BRITISH CEMETERY, MAZINGARBE
I. S. 32.
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Tring Town Memorial, St Peter & St Paul Church Roll of Honour, Tring
Pre War
Douglas Jolland Rew was born in Staines on 1 Jan 1884 (baptised 27 Jan 1884 in Staines) to Henry George Rew, organist, and Maria Julia (nee Jolland).
On the 1891 Census the family of parents, Hilda (born 1880), Douglas, Herbert (born 1886) and Ellen (born 1889)were living at 245, Whitehorse Road, Croydon, Surrey.
On the 1901 Census the family of parents, Hilda, Douglas (clerk at merchants), Herbert (insurance clerk), and Ellen were living at 164, Devonshire Road, Lewisham. Henry George Rew was listed as retired public schoolmaster.
On the 1911 Census the family of Marion, Hilda, Douglas, and Ellen had moved to 69 Chaucer Street, Bedford and were living on private means.
Wartime Service
At the outbreak of the Great War Douglas enlisted in the Artists’ Rifles Officer Training Corps. On 9 Jun 1916 he gained a commission as 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Battalion Essex Regiment and was posted to 11(Service) Battalion part of 18 Brigade, 6 Division on 8 Oct 1916. He was wounded at Serre on 11 Nov 1916 and was evacuated to UK. He recovered and returned to the regiment on 13 Apr 1917 and posted to 11th Battalion in May 1917. He was killed in action during a raid on the German Lines at Loos on 28 Jun 1917.
Extract from War Diary: “1st Army, 1st Corps, 6th Divn, 18th I.B., [18th Infantry Brigade] 11th Battn. Essex.:
28th June, 7.10pm: Capt. Silver’s party raided the German trenches. All desired ends were attained. A prisoner was captured, the party remained in the German line the full hours appointed, mine shafts and dug outs were destroyed, a large number of Germans were killed and much artillery fire was diverted from the operations of the 46th Divn. on our right. For details see orders and reports in App. I, II, and II. 2nd Lieuts WEARNE and REW killed.
A very quiet day. Trench strength 177 offs 437 other ranks. Lieut M. R. Robertson [?] who led the party over was twice wounded.
From the Parish Magazine August 1917: “2nd/Lt Douglas Rew was not for long a resident of Tring, but during his period of residence here he rendered good service. For nearly two and a half years, he acted as Assistant Scout Master to our troop. He proved himself a most conscientious and willing worker. The scouts are not likely to forget the interesting problems that he used to set them on a Saturday afternoon, and the help he gave on the allotments and on the football field, or at fretwork table in the clubroom. He was able sometimes to take a class in Sunday School but most of his Sundays were devoted to Cheddington Church, where he read the lesson.
Soon after leaving Tring, he joined the Artists Rifles and from that Corps, obtained a commission in the Essex Regiment. Part of his training was done at Halton Camp. He was twice wounded whilst in France, but returned to duty until, on June 28th he was called to higher service." His officer comrades wrote to him; "He was always self reliant and thorough in what ever he took up, and was one to do his absolute duty’. He was killed, together with two of his men, whilst visiting them during a heavy German bombardment. His Captain writes that his death must have been instantaneous.”
Additional Information
War Gratuity of £5 was awarded to his mother and arrears of £75 2s 6d was divided amon his mother, sister Helen and Hilda, brother Capt H F Rew and Capt HG Mckenna Rew.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper
Jonty Wild
