Reginald Eley Sheldon
- Family History
- Military History
- Extra Information
- Photographs
Reginald Eley Sheldon was born in Holbrook, Derbyshire, he was baptised on 25th September 1898 at Holbrook parish church , he was the son of Samuel a tax collector and Clotilda Eliza Sheldon née Eley of The Chestnuts, Holbrook village, Derbyshire. His father Samuel was born in 1865 at Holbrook, his mother Clotilda Eliza Eley was born in 1860 at Horsley Woodhouse, Derbyshire, they were married on 18th September 1897 at St Alkmund Church, Derby, they had a further child a daughter Emma Adela born 1900. In the 1911 census the family were living at the village of Holbrook, Samuel is 46 yrs and is a butcher, he is living with his wife Clotilda 51yrs and their children, Reginald Eley 12 yrs a scholar and Emma Adela 11 yrs a scholar.
He was formerly a member of University College Nottingham's OTC. Sheldon who had joined up on his 18th birthday at Cambridge had only arrived on 1st August 1917 to 7th Sherwood Foresters. He was wounded by a 9" shell near Neuve Eglise on 13th April and died on 15th April 1918 at No.8 Red Cross Hospital Boulogne . He was 'a brave and popular young officer' (Regimental History).
Article published 26th April 1918 in the Derbyshire Advertiser and Journal :- “The people of Holbrook have extended their deep sympathy to Mr. and Mr. Sheldon, who only son, Second-Lieut. R. E. 7th Notts. and Derbyshire Regiment, died of wounds on 15th inst., in No. 8 British Red Cross Hospital, Boulogne. The sad news was conveyed by Major Robinson, D.S.O., R.E., a personal friend, who was informed by the Colonel that deceased had been severely wounded by an 8in. shell in leg and abdomen. Lieut. Sheldon was articled with Mr. W. J. Board, Town Clerk of Nottingham, and joined the Nottingham University College O.T.C., whence he proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, and received his commission in August, 1917, crossing to France in the following month. He was over on leave a few weeks ago, and returned to the front on March 23.” Further article published in the Nottingham Evening post dated, 1st May 1918.“DIED OF WOUNDS.“SEC.-LIEUT. R. E. SHELDON, Sherwood Foresters, the only son of Mr. and Mrs. S. Sheldon, of “The Chestnuts,” Holbrook, Derby, was dangerously wounded on April 13th, and died in a Red Cross Hospital on April 15th. He was articled in March, 1916, to Mr. W. J. Beard, Town Clerk of Nottingham, but soon joined the Nottingham University College O.T.C. [Officers' Training Corps]. From there he went to Trinity College, Cambridge, and received his commission in August, 1917, going to France in October following. He was on leave a few weeks ago. Deceased was 19 years of age.”Above articles are courtesy of Jim Grundy and his facebook pages Small Town Great War Hucknall 1914-1918
