Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Sydney Ernest Reeves was born on 1st September 1896 in Reigate, Surrey to tailor Walter Henry and Rose Anna (nee Howard). He was baptised on 25th October 1896 at St Mary’s church in Reigate. At the time of his baptism, the family lived at Parkgate Road in Reigate.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 10 Parkgate Road in Reigate. Walter was working as tailor’s cutter and Rose was looking after their children: Walter, Sydney, George and Clara.
© Surrey History Centre findmypast.co.uk
On 20th September 1909, Sydney was admitted into the Dorking High School for Boys. At the time of his admission the family lived at 18 High Street in Dorking. Sydney previously attended St Martin’s Church of England School. After leaving the Dorking High School, Sydney became a tailor’s assistant. In July 1912 he also received the London University Junior Certificate and the Pitmans’ Elementary Shorthand Certificate.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 18 High Street, Dorking, Surrey, Walter was working as a master tailor and Rose was at home. The household further comprised of their children: engineering student Walter and scholars Sydney, George and Clara. Rose Anne stated that she had given birth to four children. The accommodation had five rooms.
Sydney enlisted in October 1914 in Brighton, Sussex into the 2nd/1st Sussex Yeomanry. He was a Private with regimental numbers: 170169 and 2161. At the time of his enlistment he resided in Dorking. He was transferred into the East Surrey Regiment and went out to France in May 1916. After a short spell of duty he contracted trench fever, which incapacitated him for about two months. (1917 Dorking and Leatherhead Advertiser)
At the time of his death he was part of the 12th Battalion, the East Surrey Regiment. He was a Private with regimental number G/34114.
Sydney Ernest Reeves was killed in action on the 21st of September 1917 at Zillebeke near Ypres, Belgium. His body was never found.
Pte Reeves is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial to the Missing in Belgium on panels 79 to 80 and 163A. He received the British War and Victory medals.
DORKING
Pte. Sydney Ernest Reeves, East Surrey Regiment, second son of Mr. W. H. Reeves, tailor, High Street, Dorking, was killed in action on September 27th. His brother, Lt. W. A. Reeves, R. F. C, is at present a prisoner of war.
Sydney Ernest Reeves Death Notice 20th October 1917 © Surrey Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
REEVES – In Loving Memory of Pte. Sydney Ernest Reeves, East Surrey Regt, and late Sussex Yeomanry, second son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reeves, High Street, Dorking, who was killed in action, Sept. 20th 1917, at Zillebeke, near Ypres, aged 21 years. “Greater love hath no man.”
Sydney Ernest Reeves Death Notice 21st October 1917 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
HIGH SCHOOL BOY’S DEATH
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Reeves, of High Street, Dorking, have received official intimation of the death in action of their second son, Pte. Sydney Ernest Reeves, of the East Surreys. He joined the Sussex Yeomanry in October 1914, and being subsequently transferred to the East Surreys he went out to France in May last. After a short spell of duty he contracted trench fever, which incapacitated him for about two months. He was then attached to another battalion of the East Surreys, and fell in action on Sept 27th. Pte. Reeves was an old High School boy; he was a good athlete, fond of all kinds of sport, and in his last school year he won the “Roy Davey” cup, and also a silver cup for being the first boy home in the schools’ inter-team race at Leatherhead. His brother, Lieut. W. A. Reeves, R. F. C. has been a prisoner of war since Feb, 1st last, while another brother, Gunner G. E. Reeves is in France with the R. H. A.
Sydney Ernest Reeves Obituary 20th October 1917 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Sydney Ernest’s sister Clara Fanny Reeves received £12, 6s and 2d on 6th November 1918 and a further £14 on 18th October 1919 in Soldier’s Effects.
In 1917 his parents lived at 18 High Street in Dorking.
Reeves Family History
Sydney’s father Walter Henry, born in the 3rd quarter of 1871 in Andover, Hampshire to master baker Jacob, born about 1840 in Wallop, Hampshire and Fanny, born about 1845 in Lyndhurst, Hampshire. Sydney’s mother Rose Anna Howard was born about 1864 in Egham, Surrey to labourer Isaac, born about 1827 Old Windsor, Berkshire and Rosanna, born about 1829 in Windlesham, Surrey. At the time of the 1881 Census, Rose was a housemaid for Sir Thomas Spencer Wells, 1st Baronet at North End Golders Hill House in London. Sir Wells was surgeon to Queen Victoria (1863-1896), a medical professor and President of the Royal College of Surgeons of England. Walter and Rose married on 30th October 1893 at St Augustine’s church in Paddington, London. At the time of their marriage Isaac was working as a tailor.
Sydney had three siblings: Walter Arthur born about 1895; George Edgar born about 1898 and Clara Fanny born about 1900, all in Reigate.
| Born | Reigate, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | Walter Henry and Rose Anna Reeves of 18 High Street Buildings, Dorking | |
| School | Dorking High School (Ashcombe School) | |
| Enlisted | Brighton | |
| Regiment | 12th Battalion, East Surrey Regiment | |
| Number | 34114 | |
| Former Regiment | 170169 Surrey Yeomanry | |
| Date of Death | 21st September 1917 | |
| Place of Death | Flanders | |
| Cause of Death | Killed in Action | |
| Age | 21 | |
| Memorial | Tyne Cot Memorial, Belgium |
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