James Frederick Reyner
1901 - clothier's apprentice (Nottingham)
1911 - manager, children and gents outfitters (Southsea, Portsmouth) employer F Asleby, West of England Clothing Company, Commercial Road
- Family History
- Military history
- Extra information
- Photographs
James Frederick was the eldest child and only son of Frederick William and Elizabeth Reyner (née Dickinson).
His father was born in Chapeltown, Sheffield, in about 1858 and his mother, Elizabeth Dickinson, in Boston, Lincolnshire, also in about 1858.
They were married in 1882 (reg. Wortley, Yorkshire) and had three children, James Frederick b. Sheffield 24 May 1883 and twin daughters, Alice and May, born Nottingham 24 December 1877 (reg. 1888 JFM). Alice was baptised on 24 December at St Bartholomew's Church and died in the January aged 28 days. Her sister May also died in January aged five weeks. Both children were buried at Nottingham St Catherine, Alice on 23 January and May on 30 January.
In December 1887, Frederick and Elizabeth were living at 168 Blue Bell Hill Road, St Ann's, but by 1891 the family had moved to 4 Massey Street, Nottingham. Frederick was working as an insurance agent.
Elizabeth died on 19 July 1897 and in 1901 Frederick, a pattern maker 'in wood' and his son, a clothier's apprentice were living at 66 Byron Road, West Bridgford. Also in the household was Eliza Spence, their housekeeper.
James married Daisy Elizabeth Stocks at St James' church on 6 October 1908. They moved to Southsea, Portsmouth, where their son, Frederick Barnard (Barnard) was born in December 1909 (reg. 1910 JFM). They were recorded on the 1911 Census at 147 Tredegar Road, Southsea; Frederick was employed as the manager of a children and gents. outfitters. The family had moved to 36 Wycombe Road, North End, Portsmouth, by the time James enlisted in July 1917.
In 1911 James' widowed father, now a grocer on his own account, was a boarder living with a family on Stratford Road, West Bridgford. By 1921 he had a confectionery and tobacconist shop and was recorded on the census at 21 Edwalton Avenue, West Bridgford, but included on the census that he employed 'one assistant at 23 Edwalton Avenue'. Frederick died two years later on 17 September 1923.
James' widow, Daisy, returned to Nottingham with her son, and the Naval Casualties (1914-1920) record gave her address as 23 Edwalton Avenue, an address referred to by her father-in-law on the 1921 Census. In 1921 she and her son were living with her parents, Alfred and Louis Stocks, at 4 Truman Villas, Nottingham. Daisy (29) was a school mistress (Bridgford Board Schools) and her son was a pupil at the Nottingham High School. The CWGC record (date not specified) gives her address as 38 George Road, West Bridgford.
Daisy was recorded on the 1939 England and Wales Register as a school mistress; she was living with her widowed father, a retired joiner/undertaker, at 17 Devonshire Road, West Bridgford. Also in the household was a retired school mistress. Her son, an architect, was one of four boarders living in a private home in Coventry.
Daisy later moved to Coventry where she died on 28 December 1963. Probate was awarded to her son, Frederick Barnard, a chartered architect (m. 1942 Coventry, d. July 1987).
Portsmouth Military Tribunals, Exemption Register. Tribunal meeting 25 October 1916. Attested Men – Certifications. Case No. 1904. Reyner James Frederick, 36 Wykeham Road, occupation outfitters manager, age 33. Group 38. Nature of Certificate: ‘Conditional’ as cuttter and special constable for period (to) 1 February 1917. Employer’s claim on the grounds as branch manager to arrange affairs (employer F Asleby, West of England Clothing Company, Commercial Road).’ Certificate withdrawn 1 June 1917. Appeal dismissed 3 July 1917.
James enlisted on a Short Service Engagement at Eastney on 17 June 1917. He served initially in 'Q' Company RMA Supply until 28 December when he was discharged to 'B' Company as a Gunner RMA with effect 29 December.
From 1-16 January 1918 he was 'embarked' and listed as embarked HMS Hyacinth (St Helena) from 17 January to 31 December 1918. It is likely that he joined HMS Hyacinth in Simonstown. His service record then has the dates 1 January 1919 to 10 February 1919 (no ship or establishment), annotated, 'DD' [Discharged Dead]. One record of service deaths records that he died 'at sea', although a Naval Casualties list recorded 'died from disease RMA HQ Eastney'.
HMS Hyacinth was a Highflyer-class protected cruiser which became the flagship of the Cape of Good Hope station in 1913 and remained on the Cape and East Africa station throughout the war. She was at Simonstown (South Africa) from 16 January 1918 after sailing from Port Natal on 11 January. The ship's log records that HMS Hyacinth left Simonstown on 3 December and after patrolling the area anchored at St Helena on 20 December 1918 ('commenced coaling', 21 December, 'cleaning ship'). HMS Hyacinth sailed for Simonstown on 31 December. No record yet traced when the ship returned to the UK but she paid off at Portsmouth in August 1919.
It is probable that James embarked at Simonstown on 1 December for the UK, returning for discharge/demobilisation but dying at RMA HQ Eastney shortly after disembarkation.
James was buried in the family plot in Nottingham General Cemetery (grave ref. 6030)
Ship's Log: www.naval-history.net/OWShips-WW1-05-HMS_Hyacinth.
CWGC Additional information: Son of Fredrick William and Elizabeth Reyner; husband of Daisy Elizabeth Reyner, of 38, George Rd., West Bridgford, Nottingham.
Nottm General Cemetery grave/headstone inscription: 'n loving memory of Elizabeth, wife of Frederick William Reyner, died July 19th 1897, aged 38 years. ‘Thy Will, not mine be done’. Also of Gunr. James Frederick Reyner RMA, son of the above, and dearly loved husband of Daisy Reyner, died Feb. 10th 1919, aged 35 years ‘Shattered hopes’. Also the above Frederick William Reyner, died Sept. 17th 1923 aged 65 years.’
Nottingham Journal, ‘In Memoriam’, 23 July 1898 and Nottingham Evening Post, ‘In Memoriam’, July 1901, 1902, 1903, 1907 and 20 July 1908: ‘Reyner. In ever loving memory of Elizabeth, wife of FW Reyner, who entered into rest July 19th 1897.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, 6 & 8 October 1908: ‘Reyner-Stocks. On the 6th inst., at St James’s Church, by the Rev. Bingley Cass, James Frederick, only son of Frederick William Reyner, West Bridgford, to Daisy E., younger daughter of Mr and Mrs A Stocks, Truman’s-road, Nottingham.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Nottingham Evening Post, ‘Deaths’, 18 September 1923: ‘Rayner. On Sept. 17th, at Ilford, Frederick William Reyner, of 23 Edwalton-avenue, West Bridgford. Passed away suddenly.’ (www.britishnewspaperarchive.co.uk)
Additional research/record updated (RF Nov. 2025)
Photo of James Frederick Reyner
Buried in Nottingham General Cemetery. Photograph 'Find a Grave' (Carl S. 10 Feb. 2022)