Name
Reginald Brill
1896
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
25/09/1915
19
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lance Corporal
1972
London Regiment *1
7th (City of London) Bn.,
'C' Coy
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
1914 /15 Star, British War and Victory medals
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
LOOS MEMORIAL
Panel 130 to 135
France
Headstone Inscription
No Report
UK & Other Memorials
Not on the Welwyn Village memorials
Pre War
Reginald Brill was born in Tottenham in 1896 the son of Christopher and Agnes Brill, and one of three children. His father was a certificated teacher at an elementary school and they were living at 42 Ranelagh Road, Tottenham on both the 1901 and 1911 Censuses.
His parents later lived at 'Woodedge', Mardley Hill, Welwyn, Herts
Wartime Service
Reginald served in France and Flanders from 18 Mar 1915.
He was killed in action during the Battle of Loos. This was a carefully rehearsed attack that began on 25 September 1915 following four days of bombardment and the release of a gas cloud. The battalion's first objective in this attack was a mining spoil tip known as the Double Crassier, then it was to take the German second line about 400 yards further on. The battalion followed the gas and smoke cloud and successfully captured its objectives. It then consolidated the position and beat off a counter-attack but casualties were heavy, totalling 14 officers and 250 other ranks.
He has no known grave and his name is commemorated on the Loos Memorial, France.
Additional Information
His father Christopher was awarded a war gratuity of £4 and pay owing of £5 3s 4d. Although pension records exist, there is no indication of the amount received.
His elder brother Christopher served with Royal Army Medical Corps from 7 Sep 1914. In late 1918 he entered Officer Cadet School, Maresfield with aim of becoming 2nd Lieutenant RGA but did not complete the course as war ended. His younger brother Archibald joined the Royal Artillery in April 1920 transferring to the Honourable Artillery Company in Apr 1921.
*1 Probably more correctly (City of London) London Regiment.
Acknowledgments
Neil Cooper, Brenda Palmer
Brenda Palmer
