Son of Robert and Rosa Alice Reynolds; husband of Mavis Clare Reynolds, of Weston-Super-Mare, Somerset.
Service #
NO RECORD
Grave/Memorial Reference
Panel 9. Column 1.
Grave/Memorial
BROOKWOOD MEMORIAL
Biographical Info
Robert Reynolds died, and was buried at Sea, after the ship he was being transported on was torpedoed. The 8th Battalion was one of four newly formed battalions of the King's Own in February 1940. In April 1940 they joined the British Expeditionary Force in France and Belgium with the aim of assisting in the construction of defensive works. Following the German invasion on 10th May 1940 the 8th Battalion made their way back to Dunkirk and were evacuated to the UK. On their return they were employed on anti-invasion duties in the South West of England and in October 1940 part of the battalion was sent to the Scilly Isles. In July 1941 the battalion had moved to Scotland, from where they set sail for Malta. En route, on 23rd July 1941, HMS Manchester [C15: Town class light Cruiser, Launched 12/4/1937 - Scuttled after being torpeoded in Operation Pedestal, 13 August 1942], carrying the majority of the Battalion, was torpedoed and had to limp back to Gibraltar. Five officers and seven men of the battalion were killed. Most of the dead, were buried at sea but one [28 year old 2nd Lieutenant John Mitchell Clarkson died of wounds on 28th July] is buried at Gibraltar North Front Cemetery. The 8th Battalion were in the operation Pedestal convoy as they were being transfered from Gibraltar to defend Malta at the time but this time, luckily, not on HMS Manchester, as it was her last voyage.
Research Info
HMS Manchester [below] is of the same class as HMS Belfast which is preserved on the Thames, London
