Reginald Charles John Head
Surname: Head
Other names: Reginald Charles John
Locations in this story: Donhead St. Andrew, WiltshireNorthamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, NorthamptonlSt. Andrew's Church, Donhead St. AndrewLowndes Square, Chelsea, LondonBirdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire
Story: Reginald Charles John Head was born in 1898 in Donhead St. Andrew, Wiltshire, and was baptised there on 16th October, 1898. He was the son of William and Thirza Jane Head (née Biddiscombe). His father died in 1905 and in 1907 his mother remarried a Reginald Andrews and they set up home at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. At the time of the 1911 Census Reginald was single and living in Ludwell but by 1917 was working as an Indoor Servant and living-in at 43 Lowndes Square, Chelsea, London. He enlisted in London on 3rd March, 1917, as a Private and joined the 19th Training Battalion of the King's Royal Rifle Corps (Service No. TR/13/14596 (later shortened to 14596)). At the time of his death his mother was living at The Rambler, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire. He contracted Lobar Pneumonia and died in the Northamptonshire War Hospital, Duston, Northampton, on 8th April 1917 and was buried in the north-west part of St. Andrew's churchyard, Donhead St. Andrew. He is remembered on the Donhead St. Andrew War Memorial. His brother, William Frederick George Head, also served in the war and survived.
Note: Although Reginald had only been in the Army for a matter of weeks before his death and had not qualified for the usual medals, his mother was still in receipt of the Bronze War Plaque.
Links to related web content / sources: Commonwealth War Graves CommissionThe National ArchivesWilliam Frederick George Head