Reginald John Gatehouse

Story:
Reginald John Gatehouse was born in Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 10 Apr 1889 and baptised at the Birdbush Independent Chapel on 13 May 1889 the son of William Henry Gatehouse and Clara Madonna Gatehouse (nee Gray).  He spent his early life in Ludwell until by 1911 he was boarding in Southampton, Hampshire.   He enlisted with the Royal Engineers on 2 Feb 1914 as a Sapper (Service No. 25960).  At the outbreak of was he was sent to France and Flanders on 5 Oct 1914 attached to the 54th Field Company later becoming a Lance Corporal.  (A fuller account of his experiences can be found on 'The Lives of the Great War 1914-1918' website).  He was wounded in action and eventually discharged as being unfit for further duty on 9 Aug 1916.  He was awarded the Silver War Badge No. 193799 as well as the Victory and British War Medals together with the 1914/15 Star.  He had married Agnes Annie Newport at the Parish Church, Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 11 Sep 1915.  The 1921 Census shows he was living at 'Irene', Hursley Road, Chandlers Ford, Hampshire, working as an Insurance Agent for the Liverpool Victoria Friendly Society. By the time of the 1939 Register he had moved to Wight View, Dudsbury, Nr. Ferndown, Dorset, working as a Carpenter as well as being a Volunteer Police War Reservist.  He died on 14 Nov 1959 and was buried at West Parley, Dorset, on 18 Nov 1959.   His father and seven other brothers also served in the conflict and details of their service can be found in the link below.