BUCKNALL - Darlington War Memorial (WW1)

[millymcb]

According to my late uncle (a professor of metallurgy so one not given to imaginitive statements) was Reginald had been sent to prison for stealing suitcases at London railway stations. At the outbreak of war (or possibly when conscription came in in 1916) he was sent to France in a labour battalion, he deserted, was caught and was shot. 

Scrimnet.....any sign of any labour battalion men?


Milly

[scrimnet]

According to my late uncle (a professor of metallurgy so one not given to imaginitive statements) was Reginald had been sent to prison for stealing suitcases at London railway stations. At the outbreak of war (or possibly when conscription came in in 1916) he was sent to France in a labour battalion, he deserted, was caught and was shot. 

Scrimnet.....any sign of any labour battalion men?


Milly

Depends what is classed as "Labour bns"

It could mean service bns, it could mean Labour Corps per se...

Most of the murders committed were by various Labour Corps personnel...

[scrimnet]

Both the 14th and 19th DLI were Service bns....

[BGB]

To Scrimnet
Thanks for the list of "possibles". None of the names so far ring bells - there is now less certainty he was in the DLI. We found yesterday he was not in Darlington at the time of the 1911 census. This could mean he was not in Darlington in 1914 (or 1916 when conscription came in) so the probability he was in the DLI is now reduced. I'm awaiting "Blindfold and Alone" and will see if a short-list of possibles can then be compiled.
I believe there is a "Pitt" mentioned?
BGB

[Colin Cruddace]

I was in Darlington Library today and was able to check the war memorial entries and there was no Reginald Bucknall or similar. I also checked a list of all who served and he's not on that either.

Regards,
Colin

[BGB]

Colin
Thank you for your message - I much appreciate your going to the trouble of checking the list of those on the War Memorial and those who served.
That there was no similar name more or less rules out Reginald Bucknell as being "our Reginald".
But where was he?
Regards
BGB   

[BGB]

To Millymcb

I took another look at Reginald Dutton Bucknell of Bethnal Green in 1911 and born 1893.
Evidently he was a barman and had been born in Battersea.
So he can be eliminated from our enquiries.
BGB

[Colin Cruddace]

I've just tried a quick search of the 1911 for Reginald (no surname) born 1894 +- 3yrs in Leeds and living in London. Two hits Reginald Hammond, 1895, at Mile End Old Town, and Reginald King 1893, at Chelsea.

Perhaps a few searches round that area might come up with a likely name, or try matching any of the names on a search of the CWGC.

Regards,
Colin

[scrimnet]

Been through the entire list of military executions in WW1...

Nil Reginalds/Reg, or similar