Thiepval Memorial, France, Somme.

Son of Frederick & Ellen Reynolds of 3 Monktonfarleigh, Trinity Hill, Jersey

Killed in action, aged 25 years.

Notice of Death appears in Jersey Evening Post of Wednesday 20 September 1916

Commemorated on St Helier Parish Church Memorial
St Mark's Church Memorial
and on memorial window in Gouray Church

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 18 October 1915

Keeping Up Jersey's Reputation. We learn that Corporal Harold Reynolds of the Jersey Contingent formerly on the staff of Messrs J W Orviss has succeeded in passing the examinations for musketry instructor. This examination was held at Dublin and Corporal Reynolds came out top of the list. Our congratulations.

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Saturday 16 September 1916

Roll of Honour. It is with deep regret we chronicle the death of one of the most popular and capable NCOs of the Jersey Company Royal Irish Rifles, Sergeant Harold Reynolds, who was killed in action on 6 September. Various rumours were circulated about town yesterday that this highly esteemed soldier had made the supreme sacrifice and unfortunately a telegram was received this morning by his aunt, Mrs Douglas of Cannon Street, from Mrs Reynolds, who is on holiday in Cornwall, stating that her son had been killed. Sergeant Reynolds was 24 and had been employed as a traveller by Mr J W Orviss. He was formerly a member of D Company 3rd Battalion RMIJ and was one of the finest shots of the Regiment. To the mother and the other members of the family we offer our sincere condolences in their bereavement.

 

Commonwealth War Graves Commission Record

 

Sergeant Harold Robrough Reynolds
7th Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
06/09/1916

NEWS ITEM in Jersey Evening Post of Monday 25 September 1916

In Memoriam for Sergeant Harold Reynolds. Nothing could better prove the high esteem in which the late Sergeant Harold Reynolds of the Jersey Company Royal Irish Rifles was held than the large and representative attendance there was at the Town Church yesterday afternoon when a memorial service was held. Being a member of the St Helier Church of England Missionary Society there was a large gathering of fellow members, whilst practically the whole of the Dean's Bible Class and the staff of J W Orviss were present, the deceased, be it said, having prior to his enlistment for overseas service, being employed there. The service, which was most impressive, was conducted by the Very Reverend the Dean, who in his address to those present said he intended taking as his text an extract from Harold Reynolds' last letter, where he wrote that he was about to take part in one of life's greatest adventures, but that having done his duty he was quite ready for whatever was before him. They had, continued the Dean, met together because they were thinking of all the Jersey boys who had fallen at the Front and, as his hearers well knew, they had been very badly hit in the recent fighting. He felt they were bound to think especially of them and to commend them to God, but in particular of Harold Reynolds as he was one of their fold. He was not one of those communicants who just dropped in occasionally, he was a member of the Church of England Missionary Society and remained a member until he joined the Company. He was, therefore, no haphazard worshipper, he was one who made that church his spiritual home and the speaker knew there were some who were attending that service who belonged to other churches and wished to say that whatever church they had made their spiritual home, it was their place to keep to it as they would get more out of it than if they went from one place to another. Harold Reynolds' wish, expressed in one of his letters, was to have the privilege of worshipping in that church again, perhaps he was with them at that moment, perhaps he was in church and they could not see him, in one of his last conversations, added the Dean, Harold told him he knew where he was going and though there were other things he said, which he could not repeat, there was not the slightest doubt that he had given up his life for England and to both him and all those who had done so, there remained a tremendous debt owing by those who could not go - a debt they could never forget and scarcely ever repay. He could not help thinking of his widowed mother but as the years passed on and her sorrow lessened, the speaker hoped that the tablet which would be erected in the church, and on which the names of their boys would appear, would tell those who passed by that he gave his life for Jersey as well as for England. Those boys of ours have gone to a higher service said the preacher, he had faith enough to say that their sacrifice was accepted. They died for their country and gave all they could, they made the supreme sacrifice and were accepted by the All Merciful. Harold's last thoughts were of his mother, his last letter was about his mother and when the preacher read it, it brought tears to his eyes. He thought, when reading it, of the Master on the Cross commending his mother to John - it was strange, continued the Dean, that the men at the Front did not mind dying, as one man had told him "we don't mind dying, we only wonder how the people at home will take it", and yet people said there was no God. With men like that and no God - with men willing to die for their King and Country with really nothing to gain, what after all was behind it if not a great spiritual power. The service which throughout was most impressive concluded with the Benediction. As a mark of respect to the memory of our former lads the Minute Bell was tolled for some time prior to the service.