Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Herbert Anderson Reek, born 1869 in Sutton, Nottinghamshire and his wife Sarah Ann Reek, (nee Southerington, married on the 24th June 1889 in Melton Mowbray Parish Church), born 18th February 1869 in Balderton, Nottinghamshire. Frederick Alfred Reek was born in the 1st quarter of 1893 in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, in March 1901 he was absent from the family home at Hayes Cottages, 39, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a farm carter, his mother and siblings, Arthur Herbert, born 1890, Mary Ann, born 21st June 1890, Sarah Ann Elizabeth, born 17th May 1896 and Edith Emily, born 1899, the latter four siblings were born in Melton Mowbray and Fanny Rebecca, born 20th November 1894, in Leicester, Frederick was residing at 9, Hayes Cottages, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, this being the family home of his maternal Grandfather, James Southerington, a general carter, born 1841 in Collingham, Nottinghamshire and his wife Elizabeth Southerington (nee Taylor, married in the 4th quarter of 1861 in the Newark, Nottinghamshire district), born 1844 in Collingham, and their children, Thomas, a general carter, born 1880 in Balderton, Nottinghamshire, Martin, born 1884 and Robert, born 1887, the latter two children were both born in Granby, Leicestershire, also residing in the family home was a Niece, Mary Chevens, born 1891 in Melton Mowbray and their son in law, George Gunby, an iron furnace labourer, born 1st December 1878 in Melton Mowbray and his wife Edith Gunby (nee Southerington, married in the 3rd quarter of 1900 in the Basford, Nottinghamshire district), born 1881 in Granby, and their son Charles E. Gunby, born 31st December 1903 in Melton Mowbray. In April 1911 Frederick was absent from the family home at 18, Ann Street, Melton Mowbray, residing there was his father, a farm labourer, his mother and siblings, Fanny, a spinning mill worker, Emily, a schoolgirl, Sarah, a schoolgirl, Gertrude Ellen, born 6th July 1901, Elijah Charles T. G., born 23rd July 1904 and Florence May, born 21st November 1905, the latter four siblings were all born in Melton Mowbray, Arthur, a furnace labourer and his wife Margaret Reek (nee Smith, married in the 1st quarter of 1910 in the Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire district), born 8th June 1892, and their daughter, Olivia Grace, born 1910 in Melton Mowbray, Frederick was employed as a carter’s labourer and was residing at 27, Asfordby Road, Melton Mowbray, the family home of his grandparents, James Southerington and his wife Elizabeth. Frederick married Annie Clark on the 12th October 1912 In Melton Mowbray Parish Church. Annie was born on the 23rd September 1892. They had a daughter, Doris M., born on the 23rd February 1913 in Melton Mowbray. In 1939 Frederick’s remarried widow was residing in the family home at 7, Prospect Place, Melton Mowbray together with her husband Harry Wilson, a railway company general labourer, born 19th February 1892. Frederick’s widowed mother was residing in the family home at 12, Bentley Street, Melton Mowbray.
Frederick was awarded the British War and Victory medals.
The War Diary records: 8 Dec-17 - OLD BRIGADE HQ, FLESQUIRES. Artillery activity increased on our side and various enemy areas heavily shelled owing to information obtained from a prisoner. 2nd Lieutenant C. EVERITT to hospital (sick) 7/12/17.
On Friday December 21st 1917 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – MELTONIAN KILLED. – On Saturday morning Mrs. Reek, 7, Prospect Place, Melton Mowbray, was informed that her husband, Pte. Frederick Alfred Reek, Leicester’s, had been killed in action the previous Sunday, the news being conveyed in the following letter from a Melton Mowbray officer: “B.E.F. December 12th, 1917. Dear Mrs. Reek. – It is with great regret that I have to inform you of the death of your husband, Pte. F. Reek, on the 9th December. He was killed by a shell, and it may be some consolation to you to know it was instantaneous, and he suffered no pain whatever. He was a thorough good man, and he is much missed by both his commander and myself. As I am a Melton Mowbray man myself, the loss is all the greater to me. Both non commissioned officers and men of the transport section join with me in offering you our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in your great trouble. I am yours sincerely, W. R. Bilson, 2nd Lieut. Transport Section, - Leicestershire Regt.” The sad news is confirmed by a letter which Mrs. Hart, King Street, received from her husband, Sergt. Major Hart, in which he says that the deceased’s windpipe was cut through, and death instantaneous. Prior to enlisting three years last October, Pte. Reek was in the employ of the Melton Mowbray Urban District Council as driver. Before going out to France he took part in the Irish rebellion. He was 24 years of age, and leaves a widow and one daughter aged four. It is interesting to mention deceased was adopted at the age of eleven months by his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Southerington, 27, Asfordby Road, who brought him up. On Friday January18th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “MELTON AND THE WAR.” – LOCAL CASUALTIES. – Wednesday’s official lists included the following local casualties:- Killed: Leicestershire Regt. : Reek, 240861 F. (Melton Mowbray). Wounded: Leicestershire Regt. : Pepper, 241099 F. (Melton Mowbray). West Yorkshire Regt. : Travil, 46206 J. (Melton Mowbray). Missing: Norfolk Regt. : Attewell, 33371 W. (Melton Mowbray).
On Friday December 13th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. REEK. – In ever loving memory of our dear son and brother, Private Frederick Alfred Reek, who was killed on the Cambrai front, Dec. 8th, 1917.
With aching hearts we shook his hand.
Tears glistened in our eyes.
We wished him luck, but little thought.
It was his last good-bye.
Somewhere out yonder he is lying.
But where we cannot tell.
But God above. He knows the place.
He was with him when he fell.
From his Father and Mother, Brothers and Sisters, Grandmother and Grandfather, and Herbert and Ernest in France.
On Friday December 20th 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “BIRTHS, MARRIAGES AND DEATHS.” – IN MEMORIAM. REEK. – In loving memory of my dear husband, Pte. Frederick Reek, 2/5th Leicester’s, killed in France, Dec. 8th, 1917.
We do not forget him, we loved him too dearly.
For his memory to fade from our hearts like a dream.
Our lips need not speak when our hearts mourn sincerely.
For grief often dwells where it seldom is seen.
His cheery smile and loving face.
Are pleasant to recall.
He always had a kindly word.
And died beloved of all.
Sadly missed by his wife and child.