C.S.M 26106 Robert Morrow Rea

• Age: 38
• From: Busagh, Down
• 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.11

Born on 17th May 1878 in Bresagh, Boardmills, County Down, Robert Morrow Rea was the son of Joseph and Eliza Jane Wylie Rea. His parents married in the Presbyterian Church, Crumlin, Co.Antrim on 21st Dec 1865, father Joseph 23 a farmer, residence Bresagh, and mother Eliza Jane 23 residence Ballyginniff, Crumlin.

In 1901 his family were living in House 12 Eblana Street, Cromac, Antrim. His father Joseph is aged 58 employed as a clerk and collector, his mother Eliza Jane is  60, siblings Joseph Charles William 30 solicitor, William Samuel 24 clerk, Annie E.S. 18, and boarder Mary Morrow 66 (all born County Down).

There is a 1908 Fremason record at 88 Belfast Lodge for Robert Morrow Rea (Soldier, Sergt).

In 1911 his family were living in House 76 University Street, Cromac, Antrim. His father Joseph is now aged 68 Collector to Distonic Hospital Belfast, mother Eliza Jane is shown to be 69. They advise that they have been married for 44 years and have had 10 children all of whom have survived. His siblings, recorded on the Census are; William Samuel 34 shipping clerk, Anna Elizabeth Simmons 28, and boarder Mary Morrow 74, servant Mina Jemima Tenyson 21.

He served with the Grenadier Guards as Guardsman 7443 and saw service during the Boer War. He was one of a number of Grenadier Sergeants who were recruited by Lieutenant Colonel Stanley as recruit instructors for the Pals Battalions. Graham Maddocks in his book "Liverpool Pals" says that six were recruited on the promise of enhanced rank.

He enlisted in Belfast and served in the 17th Battalion  King’s Liverpool Regiment as Company Sergeant Major with the service number 26106. 

He was billeted at Prescot Watch Factory from 14^th September 1914, he trained there and also at Knowsley Hall. On 30th April 1915 the 17th Battalion alongside the other three Pals battalions left Liverpool via Prescot Station for further training at Belton Park, Grantham. They remained here until September 1915 when they reached Larkhill Camp on Salisbury Plain. He arrived in France on 7^th November 1915 earning all three medals.

He was killed on 27^th June 1916, aged 38.

The British bombardment of the German lines, in preparation for the ‘Big Push’, began on 24th June 1916. On the 26th the German counter-barrage begins and inflicts quite serious losses on the 17th and 20th battalions.

The 17th Bn War Diary for 26th/27th June shows “heavy enemy bombardment of front line trenches.  Casualties: Killed O.R. 17, Wounded O.R. 57”

Robert was  one of those referred to in the diary who was killed in action on 27^th June 1916.

He was buried close to where he fell in Maricourt Military Cemetery and his grave marked with a cross.  The cemetery was at the south-east corner of the village, on the road to Clery. It was begun by French troops in December, 1914, and was known to the French by the name of Ferme Caudron. It was taken over by British troops in August, 1915, and used until July 1916.  After the war when graves were concentrated his body was removed and reinterred in Cerisy-Gailly Cemetery where he now rests.

Robert's death was announced in the Belfast News-Letter on Thursday 13 July 1916  as follows:

"The death is announced this morning of Company Sergeant-Major Robert Morrow Rea. The King's (Liverpool Regiment), who was killed on 27th June. The deceased was the youngest son of Mr. Joseph Rea, solicitor and Mrs Eliza Jane Wylie Rea. He had eighteen years' service in the Regular Army, of which 16 were passed in the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards. He served throughout the South African campaign, and was wounded in the night attack made by the Guards on the Boer position at Belmont on the 23rd November 1899. On the outbreak of the present war he was posted as drill-instructor to the Liverpool (Pals) Battalion, then being raised by Lord Derby, and accompanied them to France about a year ago. The deceased was well known in Belfast, where he always spent his periods of leave. He was a member of St. John's Masonic Lodge No. 88".
 
An obituary notice referred to Robert as part of 3rd Grenadier Guards.

Soldiers Effects and Pension to father Joseph.

Robert had earned the following Campaign Medals in South Africa with the 3rd Battalion Grenadier Guards 1899-1902:- Clasps for Belmont, Dreifontein, Johannesburg, Diamond Hill and Belfast.

We currently have no further information on Robert Morrow Rea, If you have or know someone who may be able to add to the history of this soldier, please contact us.