James Reynolds was killed in action on this day in 1915

James Reynolds was born in Southend on Sea on 18 February 1893.

He was the eldest son of James Reynolds (a solicitor) and Annie Delesia (née Lowe) in a family of three.

In 1901, James now age 8, and his family of five lived with two domestic servants at 6 Whitworth Road, Croydon.

In 1911, James, now age 18 and still at school was living with brother Charles and two servants at 49 Berlin Road in Catford. During the war, the road was renamed Canadian Avenue.

He was educated at Dulwich College and gained his BA in Law at London University.

An articled solicitor, he enlisted for active service at the outbreak of war on 6 August 1914 and joined the London Rifle Brigade. He served in France from November 1914.

On 2 May 2015, during the Second Battle of Ypres, the Battalion was involved in actions near the Fortuin-Gravenstafel road, where they faced a German gas attack and subsequent advance. The left flank had its view obscured by a hedge, but the right flank engaged the enemy with heavy fire. Despite the attack being held up, casualties were heavy. In addition to the gas attack, the London Rifle Brigade also endured heavy shelling, with casualties continuing to mount.

James was killed in action on 2 May 1915. He is commemorated on the Menin Gate in Ypres.

James' father died 7 January 1916. His younger brother Charles Reynolds (born 1896) died on 23 October 1918. He had served on the Somme and Salonika, then transferred to the RFC, trained in Egypt and gained his wings in June 1917. He was a bombing pilot with the 55th Squadron when his plane crash landed after a bombing raid. Charles is buried in Charmes Military Cemetery, Essegney.

90 James Reynolds, 1/5th Battn (London Rifle Brigade) The London Regiment. (TF)