© Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
Thank you to Lenka Cathersides for the following research.
Reginald James Cheesman was born on 5th April 1896 in Dorking, Surrey to draper James, born about 1861 in Dorking, and Edith, born about 1863 in Chawton, Hampshire. He was baptised on 10th May 1896 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking. At the time of the baptism the family lived at 4 High Street in Dorking and James was working as a draper.
Reginald had two sisters: Mabel Edith born about 1889 and Winifred Daisy born about 1892, both in Dorking.
At the time of the 1901 Census, the family lived at 4 Howard Road in Dorking. James was still working as a draper and Edith was looking after their children Mabel, Winifred and Reginald.
© Surrey History Centre findmypast.co.uk
In May 1903 Reginald was admitted into the Dorking High School for Boys. At the time of his admission the family lived at 4 Howard Road in Dorking. Previously Reginald attended a Private School. On 7th April 1911 he left Dorking High School and became a draper’s apprentice. In 1908 Reginald obtained a Pitman’s Certificate for Elementary Shorthand.
At the time of the 1911 Census, the family lived at 4 Howard Road in Dorking. James was working as a draper and Edith was at home, with the children; Mabel, Winifred, who had become a draper’s assistant and Reginald. The house had seven rooms.
Reginald Cheesman became part of the 1st/9th County of London Battalion. Queens Victoria’s Rifles. The London Regiment. He was a Rifleman and his regimental numbers were: 2731 and 390566.
He disembarked on 6th or 7th June 1916 to France.
RIFLEMAN R. J. CHEESMAN
(Queen Victoria Rifles)
Rifleman Reginald James Cheesman, only son of Mr. and Mrs. James Cheesman, of Howard Road, Dorking was reported as missing in our last issue.
Since our last issue, Mr and Mrs Cheesman have received the following letter from Capt. J. Dennison Eccles:-
“Rifleman Cheesman went over with his company and assisted to take three lines of enemy trenches. Owing to the intensity of the enemy artillery fire, we were unable to hold them. The Battalion
fought magnificently, and owing to their action on that day materially assisted the success on the Somme. Rifleman Cheesman was killed instantaneously, being hit by a shell in the enemy’s lines. By his death the Battalion loses a very cheerful and fine soldier, and I myself, though never actually in command of his company until now, feel it greatly, as not only was he one of the original member of the platoon, but also he was one of the snipers. He had the makings of a really fine shot, and I hope he did great execution amongst the Huns before he met his death. I am sure that had he the opportunities he must have scuppered many of them before he himself was hit. I can only offer you very sincerest sympathy in your loss, and I can realise what it means when so many old friends we knew were lost in that fight.
Reginald Cheesman Death Notice 29th July 1916 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
GLAD TIDINGS
In a recent issue we recorded the official intimation that Rifleman Reginald James Cheesman, of the Queen Victoria Rifles, only son of Mr. and Mrs. J Cheesman, of Howard Road, Dorking was killed during the great advance. On Wednesday the parents received the gratifying intelligence that their son is only wounded and a prisoner in the hands of the enemy. The intimation was conveyed in the following letter from Lieut. W. H. Caley, of the Queen Victoria Rifles: “We have today (August 6th) received information from the Germans, who have brought into our lines a list of prisoners taken on our front on July 1st. I am glad to be able to tell you that your son, 2731 Rfm. Cheesman appears on this list of prisoners, but I regret to say that he is wounded. I hope that you will hear from him shortly, and trust that he is not badly hit.”
Reginald Cheesman POW Notice 14th August 1916 © Dorking Advertiser findmypast.co.uk
He was presumed to be killed in an action on 1st July 1916 on the Somme in France. But he hadn’t been killed.
He received the British War and Victory medals and the 1915 Star.
Reginald married Margarita Esther Florence Adams, on 2nd September 1922 at St Martin’s Church in Dorking. At the time of their marriage Reginald was working as an outfitter and lived at 4 Howard Road in Dorking. Margarita lived at 8 Wathen Road in Dorking.
The couple did not have any children.
Reginald James Cheesman of Cosy Nook, Lonsdale Road, Dorking died on 27th May 1956. He was buried on 31st May 1956 in Dorking. He left to his wife Margarita – £39,578, 10s and 8d in his will.
| Born | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Lived | Dorking, Surrey | |
| Son of | James and Edith Cheesman of 4 Howard Road, Dorking | |
| Husband of | Margarita Esther Florence Adams of 8 Wathen Road, Dorking | |
| Regiment | 1st/9th County of London Battalion, The London Regiment | |
| Number | 2731 and 390566 | |
| Date of Death | 26th May 1956 | |
| Place of Death | Dorking | |
| Age | 60 | |
| Cemetery | Dorking Cemetery |
