Reginald Watson Inkpen

Story:
Reginald Watson Inkpen was born in Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, on 1 Feb 1878 and baptised there on 6 Mar 1878 the son of Edwin Thomas Inkpen (one time Innkeeper of the Royal Oak) and Mary Ann Inkpen (nee Clack).  He had enlisted with the Imperial Yeomanry on 11 Jan 1900 as a Private (Service No. 5350) and served with the 26th Company in South Africa from 2 Mar 1900 until 17 Jun 1901 following which he requested his discharge with effect from 18 Jul 1901.  For his service he had been awarded the South Africa Medal with three clasps. He continued his life in Motcombe except by 1911 he was working and boarding as an Ostler at a hotel in Gillingham, Dorset.  He re-enlisted and joined the Royal Field Artillery as a Driver (Service Nos. 23077 & 202832).  At a later stage he transferred to the Labour Corps (Service No. 643738) until his discharge on 9 Mar 1919.  It is not known in which theatre of war he served but he was awarded the Victory and British War Medals plus being awarded a small pension due to having contracted malaria during his service. The Census of 1921 shows him living with his parents at 33 Bittles Green, Motcombe, working as a Gardener for Lord Stalbridge.  By the time of the 1939 Register he was living at Norfolk Cottage, Shorts Green Lane, Motcombe, Shaftesbury, Dorset, working as a Private Gardener.  He remained single all his life his death being recorded at the Sturminster, Dorset, Registry in 1941 and buried at St. Mary's Church, Motcombe on 31 Oct 1941.  His brother, Rufus William Inkpen, had also served in the conflict with the Royal Navy.