23 October 1918 : Lieut. Charles Edward Reynolds, Royal Air Force

Charles Edward Reynolds was killed in action on this day in 1918.

Born 18 November 1895, Charles Edward Reynolds was the 2nd son of the late James (solicitor) and Annie (née Lowe)

Age 5 at the 1901 Census, Charles was living at home with his parents, older brother James and younger sister Florence, a cook and nurse. 

Dulwich College

He was educated at Dulwich College and later articled to his father. 

Charles volunteered soon after the outbreak of war, and joined the First Surrey Rifles as a 2nd Lieut being promoted March 1916. He saw service on the Somme and Salonika transferring to the RFC. He trained in Egypt gaining his wings in June 1917 and subsequently returned to England to train as a Bombing Pilot. He then served in France with 55th Squadron. He was wounded during the daylight raid on Cologne 18 May 1918.

RAD Waddington, Lincolnshire

After recuperating from his wounds, he rejoined his squadron in October 1918. Within weeks, he was killed returning from a raid when his plane crashed heavily upon landing. 

He is buried at the Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney.  

His brother James served as a Pte in the London Regiment and was killed in action on 2 May 1915 during the Second Battle of Ypres. 

Sources; Du Ruvigny’s Vol.5, 1901 England Census.