Sidney Charles Reeves was born in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire in July 1886, the second child born to William Reeves and Mary Ann Read. He had four siblings who were: Percy William, Rosina Mary, Lilian Annie and Stanley James. His father William was a ‘Master Baker’ and had shops in Hemel Hempstead at 41 Herbert Street and at 1 Apsley End. The Reeves family lived at ‘over the shop’ in Herbert Street and this is where Sidney grew up and learned his trade as a ‘Baker’. He moved to Aspley sometime after 1901 to work initially for another baker, William Marshall. It appears that William Reeves acquired William Marshall’s business because in 1915 it was being managed by Sidney on his behalf.

Sidney’s job as a Baker was designated a ‘starred’ occupation on the outbreak of war and meant that he was not immediately obliged to enlist. When the Group (Derby) Scheme was introduced in 1915 he attested at Hemel Hempstead in December and enlisted with the 4th Battalion Essex Regiment. On the promise of future service and due to his ‘starred’ status, he was granted exemption and transferred to the Army Reserve.

  

He was called up a year later on the 29th January 1917 and was posted for basic training with the 4th Essex. He went to France five months later on the 28th May and was transferred to the 9th Battalion Essex Regiment. His time with the 9th Essex was short and before he had seen action he was again transferred. This time he went to the 12th Battalion Duke of Cambridge’s Own (Middlesex) Regiment, joining his new comrades on the 20th June 1917.

He arrived at Monchy-au-Bois, west of Arras as part of a draft of 350 men to help rebuild the Battalion’s fighting strength. He was assigned to No.3 Platoon, ‘A’ Company and for the rest of the month he trained with his new comrades. At the beginning of July, the 12th Middlesex moved to Belgium and took up positions to the west of Ypres in preparation for the next big allied offensive. At the end of July and in early August, the 12th Middlesex provided support for the early engagements of the Third Battle of Ypres. On the 18th August, Sidney saw his first serious action when he fought in the Battle of Langemarck. He came through unscathed and then had regular spells in the trenches until mid-October when his luck ran out.

Sidney was killed on Wednesday, 17th August, by enemy shell fire, when in the trenches at Canal Bank near Ypres.

Following his death his sister Rosina acted as his executor at home in Hemel Hempstead for all War Office correspondence. This included the return of Sidney’s effects, which were sent initially to solicitor Lovel Smeathman, who passed them on to the family. The list of his possessions included: “Testament (Bible), Diary Pouch, Wallet, Letters, Photos, Cards, 2 Receipts, Registration Card, Birth Certificate”. No doubt these were items typically carried by most soldiers. Sidney had also bequeathed £330 17s 6d to his father William and sister Rosina, a not insubstantial amount, equivalent to approximately £16,000 today. His father also received letters of sympathy from his platoon officer and a close friend in his Company, details of which were published in the Hemel Gazette. The letter from his friend paints a picture of Sidney’s character and popularity. It is not known who Sidney’s young lady was, but they no doubt intended to marry on his return from the War. Private Richardson survived the conflict.

Sidney was commemorated on the memorial plaque at Marlowes Baptist Church where he had been a member of the congregation.

Sidney is Remembered with Honour on Tyne Cot Memorial, West Vlaanderen, Belgium, Panel 113 to 115.

He was 31 years old when he died.

Sidney was entitled to the British War Medal and the Allied Victory Medal.