Pte 235111 Reginald Clements

• Age: 19
• From: Goodnestone, Kent
• Regiment: The King's (Liverpool Regiment) 20th Btn
• D.O.W Tuesday 7th August 1917
• Commemorated at: Brandhoek New Mil Cem
  Panel Ref: IV.E.14

Reginald Clements was born in 1898 at Goodnestone, the son of Walter Clements and his wife Kate (nee Saffery). His parents married in 1898. Reginald had two siblings; Harold Bernard Saffrey born in the March quarter of 1896 and Ivy Doris Clements born in the March quarter of 1900.

His mother, Kate, died shortly before the 1901 Census, aged 28.

On the 1901 Census the family are having to board at 86 Upper St(?), Eythorne, Kent. His widowed father, Walter, was born in Goodnestone, his children are listed as; Harold 5 born in Preston, Kent, Reginald 2 born Goodnestone, Ivy Doris 1 born Sholden, Kent.

The 1911 Census shows the family living at The Fitzwalter Arms, Goodnestone, Canterbury. Reginald is aged 13 and at school is living at his grandfathers address along with his father, Walter, a widower aged 42, born 1869, employed as a carpenter and his sister Doris Ivy aged 11, born 1900 who is at school. His grandfather James Clements a widower aged 80, born 1831 is a publican who was born in Littlebourne, Kent. He lives with his two daughters Minnie Harriet aged 51, born 1860 and Florence aged 40, born 1871 both assisting in the family business. 

Reginald enlisted in Canterbury, Kent and was serving in the 20th Battalion, The King’s Liverpool Regiment as Private No 235111 when he died of wounds on the 7th August, 1917 aged 19 during the Third Battle of Ypres. 

He now rests at Brandhoek New Military Cemetery, Belgium. The Inscription on his headstone reads:

“GREATER LOVE HATH NO MAN THAN THIS”

During the First World War, Brandhoek was within the area comparatively safe from shell fire, which extended beyond Vlamertinghe Church. Field ambulances were posted there continuously.

Until July 1917 burials had been made in the Military Cemetery, but the arrival of the 32nd, 3rd Australian and 44th Casualty Clearing Stations in preparation for the new Allied offensive launched that month made it necessary to open the New Military Cemetery, followed in August by the New Military Cemetery No 3.

Brandhoek New Military Cemetery contains 530 Commonwealth burials of the First World War and 28 German war graves. The burials are of July and August 1917 and among them is the grave of Captain Noel Chavasse, VC and Bar, MC, one of only three men who have won the Victoria Cross twice.

The cemetery was designed by Sir Reginald Blomfield.

Soldiers Effects to father Walter, no Pension record found.

He earned two medals, the Victory Medal and the British War Medal indicating that he did not serve overseas until 1916 at the earliest.  

Reginald is also commemorated on the following Memorials:

Goodnestone War Memorial

Holy Cross Parish Church, Goodnestone.

His father died in 1923, aged 55.

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