Reginald George Gregson-Ellis was killed in action on this day in 1917
Born London 18 May 1884, Reginald 'Rex' was the elder son of Charles Gregson-Ellis (a barrister) and his wife Mildred (née Scholefield).
Educated at Horris Hell preparatory school and Eton College, Reginald Gregson-Ellis captained the cricket XI in 1902 and was President of the Eton Society.
Before the war, Reginald was an actuary in the Metropolitan Life Assurance Company.
On 23 September 1913, he married Miss Lucy Monica Reynolds at the parish church in High Wycombe. They had a daughter Gwynneth Mary, born 9 August 1914.
He obtained a commission, as 2nd Lieutenant in the Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry (OBLI), on 24 September 1914, almost a year to the day from his marriage and a little over a month after the birth of his first and only child.
He served in France from 29 March 1915 with the 'Bucks' Battalion of the OBLI. In August 1915, Reginald was promoted to Lieutenant and, in July 1916, was further promoted to Captain. He served during the Battle of The Somme.
On 16 April 1917, orders were given for a night attack to capture a German-held position, Tombois Farm, east of Peronne.
Captain Gregson-Ellis died at Peronne on 17 April 1917, from serious wounds received the previous evening whilst while leading D Company in the attack at Tombois Farm. On 25 May 1917, he was posthumously mentioned in despatches by F.M. Sir Douglas Haig for "gallant and distinguished service in the field".
He is buried in Peronne Communal Cemetery Extension.
Captain Reginald George Gregson-Ellis, 1st Buckinghamshire (Territorials) Bn The Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire Light Infantry