Description
The emotive Western Front 1914/15 medal trio and plaque to Arthur John Reeves, 9th Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment, who died 21st February 1916.
Arthur John Reeves is Remembered with Honour at the Ypres, Menin Gate Memorial. On the 14th February, the day Royal Sussex Regiment’s Lt Eric Archibald McNair won his Victoria Cross, the Germans blew 2 mines under the front line held by the 9th Sussex. During constant shelling the mines’ explosion buried a platoon of D Company alive. On that day 33 casualties were recovered and were eventually buried at MENIN ROAD SOUTH MILITARY CEMETERY.
War Diary 14th Feb 1916
Reeves and 2 other Privates (Whitehouse and Oliver) were later confirmed dead on the 20th and 21st February. These 3 casualties are memorialised on the Menin Gate Memorial as their bodies were not recovered. The War Diary for the day on which Reeves is confirmed dead states “Fine, A Quiet day”.
Arthur John Reeves was born at Warnham, near Horsham, West Sussex in 1890 to Alfred and Mary Reeves. He was the younger brother on Ellen Mary (n.b. 1891 Census). Ellen was born at Parkminster, the now named St Hugh’s Charterhouse, between Cowfold and Henfield, West Sussex. Arthur spent time at school in Roffey, Horsham.
medals – 1914/15 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal named to L/10519. Pte. A.J. REEVES. R. SUSS. R. (court mounted on card. Memorial Plaque to ARTHUR JOHN REEVES in original waxed box of issue.
A Sussex man born and bred.
