Source: Michael Doyle Their Name Liveth For Evermore: The Great War Roll of Honour for Leicestershire and Rutland.
He was the son of William Henry Backhouse a registered plumber, glazier and gas fitter, born 1857 in York, Yorkshire and his wife Eliza Backhouse (nee Croft, married in the 2nd quarter of 1882 in the York, Yorkshire district), born 1862 in Laburn, Yorkshire. Reginald John was born in the 3rd quarter of 1886 in Quorn, Leicestershire and was baptised on the 10th October 1886 in the Parish Church, Quorn, he had one sibling, Mary Dorothea, born 1885 in Loughborough, Leicestershire, in April 1891 the family home was at Freehold Street, Quorn. In March 1901 Reginald was residing in the family home at Meeting Street, Quorn, together with his father a registered plumber, his mother and siblings, Mary and Charles Sydney, born 1893 in Quorn. In April 1911 Reginald was absent from the family home at Meeting Street, Quorn, residing there was his father a plumber and gas fitter, his mother and siblings Mary and Sydney, a bank clerk. The family home was later shown as 83, Beacon Terrace, Quorn. Reginald is referred to in his military records, with the surname spelling Backhus, but was officially recorded as Backhouse at birth and baptism. It will also be noted that he gave his year of birth as 1884 and his place of birth as York, when official records show that his year of birth and baptism were 1886 and his place of birth was Leicestershire.
Reginald attested into the Canadian Over-Seas Expeditionary Force on the 26th November 1914 at Pond Farm. He gave his place of birth as York, England, his date of birth as the 25th August 1884 and his trade or calling as purser. He gave his mother Mrs. W. H. Backhus of Quorn, Leicestershire, England as his next of kin. He confirmed that he was unmarried. He stated that he had served for 3 years with the 15th Light Horse, Calgary. His medical examination recorded that he was 5 foot 10 inches in height and he had a chest measurement of between 36 and 40 inches. His complexion was described as fair, his hair colour was light auburn and he had blue eyes. It was noted that he had 3 vaccination scars on his right arm and a round scar on the right side of his face in front of his ear. He gave his religion as Church of England. His record of service began when he joined the Royal Canadian Dragoons as a Private, service number 961 on the 26/11/14. Attached from Elliotts Horse on the 15/1/15. Embarked to join the Canadian Overseas Expeditionary Force in France on the 4/5/15. Admitted to the 1st Canadian Field Ambulance, symptoms not yet diagnosed, on the 23/5/15. Discharged to duty from No.1 Canadian Field Ambulance on the 23/5/15. Admitted to 1st Canadian Field Ambulance suffering from typhoid, on the 19/6/15. Returned to Unit at Base on the 22/6/15. Transferred to Headquarters 1st Canadian Mounted Brigade, France on the 19/8/15. Transferred to Canadian Corps Headquarters, Mounted Military Police, in the field on the 19/10/15. Attached to C.A.C. Headquarters for duty as Mounted Military Police, in the field on the 20/10/15. Rejoined Unit (Headquarters Canadian Mounted Brigade) from Canadian Corps Headquarters, in the field on the 24/1/16. Attached to the 1st Indian Cavalry Division for duty as Mounted Military Police on the 4/2/16. Returned to duty with Headquarters Canadian Cavalry Brigade, in the field on the 13/3/16. Admitted to 16th General Hospital, Le Treport, suffering from scabies on the 26/3/16. Discharged to duty, in the field on the 1/4/16. Appointed Acting Lance Corporal without pay on the 8/9/16. Attached to Headquarters 5th Cavalry Division (Imperial) for training as Mounted Military Police, in the field on the 1/12/16. Ceases to be attached to 5th Canadian Division, in the field on the 20/1/17. Struck off strength on transfer to General Depot, Shorncliffe to report to Officer Commanding Training School, Bexhill on Sea on the 8/4/17. Taken on strength on Reporting from Base to attend Cadet Training School on the 10/4/17. On Command Cadet Training School Bexhill on the 5/5/17. Struck off strength on appointment of Commission in Canadian Expeditionary Force (1st Reserve Battalion) on the 30/6/17. To be Temporary Lieutenant, Infantry Battalion on the 6/7/17. Taken on the strength of the 1st Canadian Reserve Battalion, at Seaford on the 1/7/17. Struck off strength on proceeding overseas to join the 29th Battalion on the 23/11/17. On reinforcement and struck off strength of the 29th Battalion on the 24/11/17. Left for C. C. R. C. in the field on the 28/11/17. Joined the C.C.R.C, in the field on the 28/11/17. Left to rejoin the 29th Battalion, in the field on the 14/2/18. Joined the 29th Battalion, in the field on the 17/2/18. Granted 14 days leave, in the field on the 13/3/18. Rejoined from leave, in the field on the 4/4/18. To 3rd Army Gas School, in the field on the 11/6/18. Rejoined from the 3rd Army Gas School, in the field on the 17/6/18. Killed in action, in the field on the 9/8/18. The report of Reginald’s death in action records that:- While advancing to the attack on ROSIERES and after leaving the “jumping off” line, this officer was hit in the chest by a machine gun bullet and instantly killed. He was interred in Rosieres Communal Cemetery Extension, in the commune of Rosieres-en-Santerre, 8¾ miles North West of Roye, France. Sheet 66e. F.2.c.3.8. Grave 14, plot 1, row C.
The War Diary records: 9 Aug-18 – TRONVILLE WOOD. Fine day very warm. See appendices. Lieutenant G. A. CRUICKSHANK MC. and Lieutenant C. BUNCE returned from overseas. Lieutenant A. R. BLINKO MM. admitted to hospital, sick.
APPENDIX 4A.
29th (VANCOUVER) BATTALION. BRITISH COLUMBIA REGIMENT.
NARRATIVE OF OPERATIONS 8th and 9th August 1918.
On the night of August 6/7th the Battalion moved from PONT DE METZ to the assembly area on the east of BOIS DE BALNGY and remained in position all day of the 7th and where all outfitting was completed preparatory for the attack. On the night of the 7/8th the Battalion moved from this area to the assembly area between BOIS DE BALNGY and the village of CACHY where it remained until zero hour 4.30am on the morning of August 8th.
At this hour the 4th Brigade attacked the front line system and advanced as far as the eastern outskirts of MARCELCAVE when the 5th Brigade continued the advance to the eastern outskirts of GUILLAUCOURT. At this point the 6th Brigade, after leaving its assembly area at 5.40am each Battalion proceeding in Artillery formation to this point where it continued the advance. The 6th Brigade advanced with the 29th Battalion on the left and the 28th Battalion on the right and occupied the old AMIENS defence line, the 27th and 28th Battalions in support.
The 29th Battalion moved up in the following formation:- “B,” “C,” “D,” in the front line and “A” Company in support. No opposition was offered and the Battalion occupied this line at 4.55pm taking over from the Cavalry who had already garrisoned the line (9th HUSSARS). The position was consolidated and held all night.
Patrols were pushed out at dusk with the object of rounding up enemy snipers and possible Machine Guns. Sergeant RULE proceeded out with one party and captured four Huns who had been laying out sniping; he also captured four Machine Guns which were along with this party of Huns. Nothing of interest occurred during the night.
Battalion stood to at 3.30am on the morning of the 9th prepared for a possible counter-attack but nothing developed. Orders were received at about 8.30am to be prepared to resume the attack at 10.00am and preparations were made. During the morning a patrol of cavalry went out on our front but met with heavy Machine Gun fire and withdrew suffering heavy casualties.
At 1.00am our Battalion was all ready to advance, with “B” Company on the right, “C” Company in the centre, “D” Company on the left and “A” Company in reserve. The advance was commenced in two waves, front line in extended order and lines of sections in the second line. Our Artillery commenced fire but the shells fell behind our front line. The enemy Machine Guns opened up heavy fire as soon as our men started. The German artillery also put down a barrage of all calibres. Our tanks had failed to arrive but the 29th Battalion with the 31st Battalion in close touch pushed on. A few minutes later the tanks reached the front line and pushed forward. Meantime our men were dropping in considerable numbers all along the line but no hesitation was shown. On the left particularly heavy Machine Gun fire was met with from the Railroad embankment and from the front of the Australians on our left who had not commenced to advance.
During the period 11.10am many prisoners were captured in the outpost line occupied by the enemy. Enemy artillery fire increased but the tanks overtook and passed our men so that some enemy Machine Guns were put out of action except along the railway on the left flank and beyond it, these continued to give trouble and caused many casualties including Captain A. B. WATSON MM who was killed and Captain S. G. McSPADDEN severely wounded. Lieutenant Colonel W. S. LATTA DSO was wounded at about 300 yards in front of the jumping off line.
Our men continued to push on but the left flank was in advance of the Australians, and Headquarters Details under Lieutenant HOSKINS went forward to protect the gap. Further to the right the 31st Battalion now became held up by Machine Gun fire. Enemy artillery was fired rapidly and accurately from the neighbourhood of ROSIERES.
12.00am found the Battalion nearly the edge of this village but on both our flanks the line was much further back. The 31st Battalion on the right and the Australian on the left of the Railway appeared to be definitely checked for a time by enemy Machine Gun fire. The 29th Battalion pushed on however under heavy Machine Gun fire capturing many Machine Guns and killing and capturing Huns all the way with both flanks in the air and pushed through the eastern portion of ROSIERES. Heavy fire was experienced previous to entering the village from houses on the outskirts and from the Church tower and from ROSIERES Station. Much of this fire was counteracted by the Lewis Gunners using the Lewis Gun and firing from the hip as they advanced. It is considered that this proved very effective and helped to keep down casualties to a considerable extent. The number of Machine Guns encountered between the jumping off line and the village is roughly estimated to be about forty on the Battalion front. “D” Company on the left of the Battalion captured an 8.8 Howitzer on the southern side of the railway.
At about 1.00pm with both flanks in the air the Battalion attacked the village and passed through to the eastern side. Not much opposition was encountered in the village and very little street fighting occurred. At one point on “B” Company’s front a party of about 30 Huns commenced to surrender and then changed their minds – they were dealt with accordingly.
“D” Company on the left, after passing through the village, met with heavy fire from the north of the railroad and had to retire into the village; however a party of “A” Company under Corporal ARMSTRONG remained in position and helped to guard the ground on the left front at ROSIERES Station.
At this time “B” and “C” Companies were out about 400 yards east of the village and “D” Company again pushed up and occupied the eastern outskirts of the village.
Then 31st Battalion on the right again advanced and it was found there was a gap between our right flank and their left flank, this was closed up by “B” Company. At the same time the Australians with tanks assisting them advanced and pushed down the left side of the Railway. By 2.30pm we were out of the village on the eastern side and we continued to advance but heavy Machine Gun fire was met with and owing to the heavy casualties that had occurred the Battalion was forced to halt and re-organise before proceeding.
About 4.00pm the advance was again continued and “B” Company on the right rushed the Sugar Factory and held it. “C” and “D” Companies pushed out and occupied a trench and connected up the line running along this trench to the Australian flank. Some resistance was met with at the Sugar Factory but the enemy was soon cleared out. “C” Company in the centre captured a Canteen and Supply Depot which contained a very good supply of eatables and bottled goods.
On the left the remnants of “A” and “D” Companies held the Railway but “D” Company was forced to retire about 200 yards for a short time, they again pushed forward and at dusk the whole line was connected. At dusk the Australians again pushed up which left our flank somewhat in the rear about 400 yards. The 27th Battalion took over a portion of the trench from the 28th Battalion on our right and in conjunction with them we pushed out a patrol about 1,000 yards under Lieutenant G. PHILLIPS and connected up with the Australians. At dawn this patrol was relieved by a party of the 27th Battalion who continued the advance as a skirmishing line until enemy opposition was encountered about another 1,000 yards forward.
The operation of the tanks was very successful for the first 1,000 yards but one tank was called for to help the 31st Battalion and our centre tank was knocked out and the left tank went over to help the Australians so this left the Battalion without any tank assistance during the advance. This did not hold up the advance in any way although it is thought that casualties would have been less had the tanks been able to proceed with us further.
During the first part of the advance when the Australians were held up and our “D” Company were suffering heavy casualties from enfilading fire three Whippet tanks were rushed forward to the Australian front and relieved the situation on the left considerably. They did excellent work and handled the situation splendidly.
Captain O. H. HEPWORTH MC was severely wounded shortly after the Battalion passed through ROSIERES.
Our casualties were:- Killed, Captain A. B. WATSON MM, Lieutenant’s GOFFIN, JEKILL and BACHUS. Wounded, Lieutenant Colonel W. S. LATTA DSO, Captain’s HEPWORTH and McSPADDEN and Lieutenant’s J. SMITH and MORTON. Other Ranks:- 39 killed and 109 wounded, 2 missing.
The success of the operation was due largely to the rapidity of the advance of our men and to the excellent work of the Lewis Gunners in firing from the hip in the advance.
Smoke bombs were not used as it was found that the rate of the advance was too rapid and that Lewis Gun fire was much more effective in counteracting enemy Machine Gun fire.
The rapid and sustained advance of “B” Company on the right was largely due to the splendid leadership of Captain R. S. MOORE who led his men through in spite of heavy casualties amounting to 65% of his strength: He did splendid work.
Signed -?- Major Commanding 29th (Vancouver) Battalion. 12.8/18.
On Friday August 23rd 1918 The Melton Mowbray Times & Vale of Belvoir Gazette published the following article under the heading. “QUORN.” – LOCAL OFFICER KILLED. – Official information has been received that Lieut. Reginald Backhouse, son of Mr. and Mrs. Backhouse, of The Poplars, Loughborough road, was killed in the attack on August 6th. Emigrating to Canada some years ago when the war broke out he was amongst the first to enlist, and after serving some time as a private, he entered a cadet school and was granted a commission. He went out to France in March last, and joined the Canadian Cavalry.