Pte 24939 Reginald Nolan

• Age: 25
• From: Birkenhead, Cheshire
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 17th Btn
• K.I.A Tuesday 27th June 1916
• Commemorated at: Cerisy-gailly Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: II.K.3

Reginald was born in Oxton, Cheshire, on 08th October 1889, his birth was registered in the December quarter of 1889; however, his school records show his birth as 08th October 1890. He was in fact baptised on 19th January 1890 in Christ Church, Claughton, Cheshire, his parents’ residence listed as 36 Poplar Road, and his father’s occupation as agent. He was the youngest son of John Sydenham Nolan, an Irishman born in Dunhill Waterford, who worked as a traveller for a tea wholesaler, and his wife, Mary Elizabeth (nee Wylde), who was born in Halton. They married on the 16th February 1882 at St Mary's Church, Halton, Cheshire. They had three older sons - Frank, born 1883, Kenneth born 1884 and William, born 1888, and daughters Kate b.1886 and Norah Mary b.1894..

In 1891 the family lived at 36 Poplar Road, Oxton, Birkenhead. Reginald is a one year old child living with his parents and four siblings. His father is described as a 34 year old tea traveller for a wholesale house, whilst his mother is 36 years of age. His siblings are shown as; Frank aged 8 born in Tranmere, Kenneth 7 and Kate 4 were born in Liverpool, and William aged 3 was born in Oxton. The family also employed 2 servants. 

In 1897 when Reginald was 6 years of age he enrolled in the Birkenhead Institute prep school pupil and his brothers Frank, 14, and Kenneth, 12, enrolled in Birkenhead Institute on 18th January 1897,  their next of kin listed as J.S. Nolan, and address 104 Whetstone Lane. Reginald attended the school until at least 1899, as a junior.  (His name does not appear on the school memorial.)

There are several passenger records for father John S. Nolan in the mid 1890's to New York and Boston where his occupation is "Agent". There are no civil death records for him but a family tree records his death in Lesotho, South Africa in 1899.

In 1901, Mary Elizabeth is shown at 38 Poplar Road, Birkenhead and is a widow, living with her daughter Kate, son William and 6 year old daughter Nora, her widowed mother, Sarah Jane Wylde, and a servant.  The 1901 Census also shows a Reginald Nolan, born about 1890 in Oxton, Birkenhead, as an inmate at the Commercial Travellers School for Orphan and Necessitous Children in Pinner, Middlesex. In view of his deceased father’s occupation it seems likely that this is Reginald.

Unfortunately, neither Reg nor his brothers have been found on outgoing passenger lists, but Frank Nolan, 24, and William Nolan, 19, are found as passengers on the Avondale Castle sailing from Capetown to Southampton, arriving on 18th April 1907, both listed as traders.  Perhaps Reginald returned to Southern Africa with his brothers.  

There is no trace of him in the 1911 Census but his widowed mother is still living at 38 Poplar Road, with her daughter Norah and her widowed mother, now 83 years old. Mary Elizabeth states that she was married for 17 years and had seven children of whom 6 still survived.

There are records for an R Nolan born in 1888 and employed as a clerk leaving Liverpool on board the S S Empress of Ireland on 13th June 1913 bound for Quebec in Canada. 

After the outbreak of war, William and Reg travelled on the Durham Castle from Capetown to London, arriving on 10th December 1914. William, 26, is listed as a trader, and Reg, 25, as a clerk.

Reg enlisted in Prescot, as Private 24939, joining the 17th Battalion of The King’s Liverpool Regiment.

Reginald’s service record is unavailable but his Medal Card shows that he was in France on 07^th November 1915 and earned all three medals.

He was killed in action aged 25 years on 27^th June 1916 and buried in Grave II K 3 in Cerisy-Gailly Military Cemetery.

A report of his death was contained in the Birkenhead News on 12^th July 1916:
 
"News was received last week-end by Mrs.Nolan,of Heswall,of the death of her son.Reginald,of the 17th King's Liverpool "Pals." The first intimation was conveyed in a letter from the Chaplain,Mr.Skilton,who writes:-"It is with deep regret that i inform you of the death of your son Reginald.He along with seven other comrades including his brother,William,were manning a post when a shell killed three of them and wounded the others.He was of a bright and cheery disposition,and i can assure you he is greatly missed." Pte.Nolan was 26 years of age,and the youngest son of the late Mr.and Mrs.Sydenham Nolan of "The Heathers," Heswall.He and his brother William (who was wounded at the same time and is now in hospital) were among the first to come over to fight for the Motherland from South Africa,where they were in business at Bulawayo in a gold mining office." 

Also the Liverpool Echo – 08/7/1916 and 10/7/1916:

Nolan – June 27 Killed in action age 26 years Private Reginald Nolan, Liverpool “Pals” Youngest son of Mrs Sydenham Nolan, The Heathers, Heswall.

CWGC shows that after the war his mother was living at 3 Gayton Road, Heswall.