Mexborough and Swinton Times, August 5, 1916

Sergeant Major F.N.Reynolds (Barnsley Battalion, York and Lancs)

was killed in action on July 17.

He formerly resided with his father-in-law, Mr a Slater, Turner Street, Sandhill, Great Houghton. He enlisted in September 2013 1914, at Ardsley, and gain promotion very quickly by sheer merit, the make company Sergeant Major on April 2, 1915.

He went to Egypt and in March was transferred to France, and took part in the Great Advance on July 1. This engagement he wrote to his wife and spoke of the great Shockey had sustained back having his beloved captain shot at his side as he (Reynolds) was taking an order. On the very morning that he fell he wrote on the back of the envelope of what was to be his last letter home at 5 AM and 8.30 he was killed by a shell.

He leaves a wife and four young children.

Second Lt T.H.Hions writes that Reynolds was issuing rations to some of the men about 8:30 am when a shell burst in the trench. Five or more were struck, three being killed.

“Your husband suffered no pain, he being unconscious, and passed away after about 15 minutes. On behalf of the officer commanding and officers and non-commissioned officers and men, I ask to offer you our deepest sympathy in your great loss. He was a warrant officer of the very best kind, keen and careful, and thoroughly reliable. As a company Sergeant Major he had a very difficult task, but he did his work, and did it well. He was popular with both officers and men, and his death comes as a blow to the company, following as it does so closely on the death of the captain of the company.

May our Father give to you strength and courage to bear bravely your great loss, and special comfort during your dark hours of trial and morning.”

Another officer, Capt J Normansell writes to the widow:

“Just a line saying now I feel the loss of your husband. He was a most reliable warrant officer, and showed great keenness in his duty. I offer you my deepest sympathy in your great loss.”

Great sympathy is felt for the bereaved widow and for the widowed mother, whose home is at lower Sutton, Sutton at Hone, this being the second son she has lost in the war.

The other son was Private C Reynolds (RW Kents) who was killed in action March 9, 1916.

Mrs Reynolds has two sons John and Charles Reynolds serving in the Royal Marines, John being a petty officer. Previous to enlistment Sergeant Major Reynolds worked at Houghton Main colliery