Reeves, Albert James: Service no. 53847

Canadian Virtual War Memorial

Source: January 31, 1916 War Diary Entry. Went missing per Circumstances of Death Card with Private Emerald Brittan Broadwell, reg. no. 53892.

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Family Search: When Private Albert James Reeves was born on 4 September 1896, in St Albans, Hertfordshire, England, United Kingdom, his father, Joseph Halford Reeves, was 37 and his mother, Emma Elizabeth Bell, was 37. He immigrated to Canada in 1913 and lived in West Ham, Essex, England, United Kingdom in 1901. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 18, his occupation is listed as machinist – grand trunk railway in Stratford, Perth, Ontario, Canada. He died on 30 January 1916, in Ieper, West Flanders, Belgium, at the age of 19.

Circumstances of Death:

“Previously reported missing, now for official purposes presumed to have died.

About 9 a.m. on January 30th, 1916, he and a comrade [Private Broadwell] left their trench under cover of fog. They reached an unoccupied enemy listening post and found some bombs which they broad back to their own lines. They then returned to the listening post intending to wait there and bomb the enemy when they attempted to reoccupy the post. Private Reeves nor his comrade ever returned and from that time nothing has been seen or heard of them.”

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“Previously reported missing, now for official purposes presumed to have died.” About 9 a.m. on January 30th, 1916, he and a comrade left their trench under cover of fog. They reached an unoccupied listening post and found some bombs which they brought back to their own lines. They then returned to the listening post intending to wait there and bomb the enemy when they attempted to reoccupy the post. Private Reeves nor his comrade ever returned and from that time nothing has been seen or heard from them.”
18th Battalion War Diary entry for January 31, 1916 noting missing soldiers.
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2 thoughts on “Reeves, Albert James: Service no. 53847

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  1. Good Day, Albert Reeves was a Scout with Emerald Broadewell (My Great Uncle) he was reported missing the same time a Emerald, they were both on the same patrol together.

    1. Robert,

      Thank you for commenting. Do you have any biographical information on Emerald Broadwell that I can add to his page?

      Eric

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