Reginald Andrews was born in Highgate, Middlesex (now Greater London), one of the six children of Arthur Andrews (1870-1918) and Elizabeth Jane Andrews née Weekes (1863-1942). His birth was registered in the 4th quarter of 1897 in the Pancras registration district, London.
In the 1901 census he is shown as aged 3 years, living in three rooms at 5 Swains Lane, Highgate, with his parents, three bothers: Arthur Frederick Andrews (b.1895); Leonard H. Andrews (b. c1899) and Ernest Robert Andrews (b.1901). His father was described as a 'Labourer Highgate Cemetery Coy.'.
He was shown as a schoolboy, aged 11 years, in the 1911 census, living in a four-roomed house at 1 Pickering Cottages, North Hill, Highgate, with his parents and his three surviving brothers: Arthur Frederick Andrews who was described as a milkboy; Leonard H. Andrews - schoolboy and Ernest Robert Andrews - schoolboy, whilst his father listed himself as a gravedigger at Highgate Cemetery.
In March 1915 he enlisted as a Rifleman in the 6th (City of London) Battalion, The London Regiment (Rifles), service number 3497 and entered France on 23 February 1916. He was serving in his battalion's 'C' Company when he was killed in action, aged 18 years, on 15 September 1916. His body was buried near where he fell, but after the war it was exhumed and reburied in Plot 2, Row L, Grave 22 in the Warlencourt British Cemetery, Rte nationale, 62450 Warlencourt-Eaucourt, France.
On 27 January 1917 his £3-16s-2d army effects were sent to his father and by 31 March 1920 his £5-10s-0d had been sent to his widowed mother. He was posthumously awarded the British War Medal 1914-1918 and the Victory Medal.
He is shown as 'REGINALD ANDREWS' on the Highgate United Reform Church war memorial at Pond Square, London N6. He is also commemorated on the Commonwealth War Graves Commission's website, on the Imperial War Museum's Lives of the First World War website and on the A Street Near You website.
Credit for this entry to: Andrew Behan.
