Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of Joseph Kendrick, a stone quarry worker, born 1863 in Markfield, Leicestershire and his wife Mary Ann Kendrick (nee Roper, married on the 25th December 1891 in Markfield Parish Church), born 1871 in Markfield. Reginald was born in the 1st quarter of 1895 in Narborough, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 3rd March 1895 in Narborough Parish Church, his siblings were, Lily Annie, born on the 22nd November 1893 and baptised on the 15th January 1893 in Croft Parish Church and Harold, born on the 2nd January 1894 and baptised on the 11th March 1894 in Croft Parish Church, the latter two siblings were both born in Croft, Leicestershire and Joseph Sidney, born on the 9th January 1900 in Narborough and baptised on the 25th February 1901 in Narborough Parish Church, in March 1901 the family home was in Meeting Lane, Narborough. In April 1911 Reginald was employed as a stone trade worker and was residing in the family home in Princess Street, Narborough, together with his father, a quarry stone breaker, his mother and siblings, Harold a stone trade worker, Joseph, a schoolboy and Maurice, born on the 25th July 1908 in Narborough and baptised on the 13th September 1908 in Narborough Parish Church.
Reginald attested into the Army on a Short Service engagement (Three years with the Colours.) and The Reserve on the 8th September 1916 in Leicester. He gave his place of birth as Narborough, Leicestershire, his age as 19 years and 180 days and his trade or calling as artificial stone dresser, and he gave his home address as No. 2, Princess Street, Narborough. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He gave his father, Joseph Kendrick, mother Mary Ann Kendrick, 3 brothers and one sister, all of 2, Princess Street, Narborough, Leicester as his next of kin.
His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 7½ inches in height, weighed 120 pounds and he had a chest measurement of between 33 and 35 inches. His complexion was described as fresh, he had grey eyes and brown hair. His physical development was described as good. He gave his religion as Church of England. He was pronounced fit for the Army on the 8th September 1914 in Leicester.
His record of service began when he joined the Depot of the Leicestershire Regiment as a Private, service number 14686 on the 8/9/14. Transferred to the Army Reserve on the 8/9/14. Rejoined from the Army Reserve on the 14/9/14. Posted to the 9th Battalion Leicestershire Regiment on the 27/9/14. Appointed unpaid Acting Lance Corporal at Bourley camp on the 20/11/14. Promoted Acting Corporal at Aldershot on the 2/12/14. Appointed paid Acting Lance Sergeant vice Richard at Perham Down on the 29/6/15. Confirmed in the rank of Corporal, in the field on the 27/7/15. Embarked to join the British Expeditionary Force in France on the 29/7/15. Appointed Acting Sergeant, in the field on the 25/1/16. Confirmed in the rank of Sergeant, in the field on the 9/5/16. Admitted to the 64th Field Ambulance suffering from a gunshot wound to the neck and chest on the 15/7/16. Transferred to the 34th Casualty Clearing Station, Daours suffering from W. shell concussion on the 15/7/16. Died of wounds received in action, place not stated on the 15/7/16. (14/7/16).
A summary of his service records: Home Service, 8/9/14 – 28/7/15, 325 days. British Expeditionary Force, France, 29/7/15 – 14/7/16, 352 days. Total service 1 year 311 days. He was awarded the Military Medal for Gallantry in the Field, (London Gazette 17/2/17) the 1914-15 Star, British War and Victory medals.
The following information was provided by Reginald’s father Joseph on the 13th May 1919, and was witnessed and signed by Warwick Whiteley, Clerk In Holy Orders, J.P. Leicestershire, Narborough, Leicester on ARMY FORM W. 5080 (Information on deceased soldier’s family) Father of soldier, Joseph Kendrick, 2, Princess Street, Narborough. Mother of soldier, Mary Ann Kendrick, 2, Princess Street, Narborough. Full blood brothers of soldier, Harold Kendrick, age 25 of Enderby, Leicester. Sydney Kendrick, age 19 of 2, Princess Street, Narborough. Maurice J. Kendrick, age 10 of 2, Princess Street, Narborough. Full blood sister of soldier, Lily Kendrick, age 26 of 2, Princess Street, Narborough.
Reginald’s surviving service documents are in poor condition, and much of the finer detail relating to the period of time that he spent in the Army, is either illegible or missing, hence the sparse overall description of his military and personal family history.
NOTE: His date of death is recorded both as the 14th and 15th July 1916.
The War Diary records: 14 Jul-16 - FRICOURT. Battalion moved off at 12.15am and moved up to the southern edge of MAMETZ WOOD. Fairly heavy shelling. They reached the reserve position MAMETZ WOOD 500 yards west of the front edge at 3.20am just as intense bombardment of German trenches began, and either went into existing trenches or dug in. At 5.20am “B” Company (Captain ANDERSON) and 1 platoon of “A” Company moved over to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD to reinforce the 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT They finally reached the north of the wood of village and as far as possible dug themselves in. They were mixed up with the 6th, 7th and 8th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. Heavy casualties including all Company officers. At 6.00am remainder of “A” Company moved to German 1st line trench and started to consolidate it. 2 platoons of “C” Company taken to Brigade Headquarters for carrying. At 8.15am Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with “D” Company and ½ of “C” Company moved to BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT WOOD. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG had orders to take over defence on the north western and western edge of the wood which was being heavily shelled. At 8.45am “D” Company (Lieutenant NOLAN) directed on the north western corner of the wood to clear wood and dig in on the edge. 2 platoons of “C” Company in support trench with Battalion Headquarters. Between 9.00am and 12.00 noon “D” Company met with heavy opposition and reached forward support line but failed to clear wood. Lieutenant NOLAN was killed. Lieutenant de LISLE and Lieutenant SMITH were wounded. Between 12.00 noon and 3.00pm Germans threatened counter attack, very heavy shelling of all lines. “A” Company brought to Battalion Headquarters and 2 platoons sent to reinforce 6th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT. At 12.00 noon Colonel KUMME, 2 officers and 30 men captured by “D” Company. Between 4.00pm and 7.00pm Brigadier came and ordered all available men to attack the north western edge of the wood. Lieutenant Colonel HAIG, Captain EMMETT and 2nd Lieutenant STEPHENS with about 50 men advanced roping in about 100 men of 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT as supports. Captain EMMETT with 40 men reached the north western edge of the wood and killed 4 German observers and attempted to charge the German trenches 50 yards from the edge of the wood. Captain EMMETT and 36 men were killed by machine gun fire. Meanwhile Lieutenant Colonel HAIG with the 1st EAST YORKSHIRE REGIMENT and a few of the 9th LEICESTERSHIRE REGIMENT had reached the railway line and came under enfilade machine gun fire (Lieutenant STEPHENS was killed). The edge of the wood close to the village was cleared and a small drive was organised towards Captain EMMETT’S party. They came under heavy sniping fire and Lieutenant HINCKLEY was wounded and most of his men killed or wounded. 7.00pm all posts started consolidating where they were. Patrols sent out constantly from the strong posts. Rough positions as below (On the Battalion Diary page a rough sketch shows the positions of the Companies) Between 9.00pm and 11.00pm heavy shelling and enemy rifle fire but no actual organised attack.
The War Diary records: 15 Jul-16 - BAZENTIN-LE-PETIT. At 2.00am Battalion ordered to go back to centre of MAMETZ WOOD by 8.00am. At 8.00am arrived at rendezvous. At 9.00am ordered to return to original post. At 9.45am reached original line with slight losses. The day was spent in clearing the wood and organising Companies. At 9.00pm 2nd Lieutenant SARGEANT and 20 men went to dig themselves in at the North Western edge of the wood. They arrived at position but were isolated with a barrage of rifle grenades behind them and are believed to have all been killed or wounded.
On Tuesday February 20th 1917 The Leicester Mercury published the following article under the heading. “Military Medal for Fallen Leicester’s” – A supplement to the “London Gazette” dated yesterday, announces that the King has been pleased to approve the award of the Military Medal for bravery in the Field to a number of non-commissioned officers and men, since deceased, who have been killed in action or died of wounds or disease subsequent to the date of the award of the medal to them by the Commander in Chief in the Field. The following are among the names which appear in the Roll of Honour:- 16931 Pte. J. H. Jones, Leicestershire Regt. 9/14686 Sgt. R. Kendrick, Leicestershire Regt. 11175 Pte. R. Knox, Leicestershire Regt. 3397 Sgt. H. W. Young, Leicestershire Regt.