Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Reginald Raymond (Reggie) Truelove was born on 26th April 1895 in Steeplehurst (Staplehurst) in Horley, Surrey.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at Broomfield Cottages, Westcott, Dorking, Surrey. Henry was working as an agricultural labourer and Clara was looking after her children: carter on a farm Harry, agricultural labourers Frederick and John Francis, George, Charlotte Annie (Hannah), Reggie and Elsie Maud.
On 10th November 1903, Reggie was admitted into the St Martin’s Church of England School for boys in Dorking. At the time of his admission, Reginald lived at 20 St Martin’s Place, Dorking. The previous school he attended was in Brockham.
On 20th June 1905, Reggie was readmitted into the St Martin’s School. At the time of his readmission, the family lived at 8 Church Gardens in Dorking. He left the school on 7th April 1909.
George and Reggie’s father Henry died in the 3rd quarter of 1908 in Dorking. He was 55 years old. He was buried on 3rd October 1908 in Dorking Cemetery.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 12 Ansell Road in Dorking. The family was lead eldest son labourer Harry Truelove. The household further comprised of Harry’s mother Clara and her children: unemployed Charlotte, grocer boy Reggie, Elsie and a boarder Flor Parkhurst. Clara stated, that she had given birth to ten children of whom eight were still alive. The accommodation had five rooms.
Reggie Truelove enlisted in March 1915 into the 4th Battalion, the Seaforth Highlanders (Ross-shire Buffs, the Duke of Albany’s) in Bedford, Bedfordshire. He was a Private and his regimental number was 3021. Later, he became a Lance Corporal. Before his enlistment he was working at the Dorking International Stores and was very popular and much liked by all who knew him.
Reggie disembarked on 21st August 1915 to France.
DORKING MAN WOUNDED
We regret to learn that Private Reggie Truelove, of the Seaforth Highlanders, third son of Mrs. H. Truelove, 10 Dene Street, Dorking, has been wounded in the back and is now being treated in one of the military hospitals in France. His brother, Corporal George Truelove, has been missing since the battle of Ypres.
Reginald Truelove Wounded Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
The 1915 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser reads, that Reggie Truelove: “has been wounded in the back and is being treated in one of the military hospitals in France.“
He was killed in action on 7th November 1916 in France.
His body was never recovered. He is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial in France on Pier 8 and Face 15C.
A MOTHER’S DOUBLE SACRIFICE
Deep sympathy will be felt for Mrs. Truelove, of 10, Dene Street, Dorking, in another great sacrifice which she has been called upon to make. In the early days of the war she suffered extreme suspense and anxiety when her third son, Lce-Corpl. George Truelove, of the Queen’s was reported missing and subsequently killed, and now she has received the sad news that her second son, Lce-Corpl. Reginald Robert Truelove, Seaforth Highlanders has fallen in action. Lieut. P. A. Harrop, his machine gun officer, has sent his sincere sympathy to Mrs. Truelove, and informed her that her son was killed whilst on duty with his gun in the front a day or so previous to the recent attack. He was hit by a shell and death was instantaneous. The officer adds : “His section miss him immensely, for he was a great favourite and as his officer I know that I have lost one of my cheeriest and most competent gunners.“
Lce-Corpl. Truelove joined the Army in March of last year, and he had been out in France over a year. In civil life he was an assistant at the Dorking International Stores, and was very popular and much liked by all who knew him. Mrs. Truelove has another son in the Marines.
Reginald and George Truelove Deaths Notice © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
The Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser, dated 2nd December 1916 reads, that Lieutenant P. A. Harrop, Reggie’s machine gun officer, stated, that Lance Corporal Truelove was killed whilst on duty with his gun on the front a day or so prior to the recent attack. “ He was hit by a shell and death was instantaneous. His section miss him immensely, for he was a great favourite and as his officer I know that I have lost one of my cheerest and most competent gunners.“
Reggie was awarded the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Reggie Truelove left to his mother Clara £4, 19s and 1d on 27th March 1917 and a further £8 on 26th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
| Born | Steeplehurst, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Henry and Clara Truelove of 17 Dene Street, Dorking | |
| Brother of | George Truelove | |
| Regiment | 4th Battalion, The Seaforth Highlanders | |
| Number | 3021 | |
| Date of Death | 7th November 1916 | |
| Place of Death | Somme, France | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 20 | |
| Memorial | Thiepval Memorial, Somme, France |
