Peter Reynolds - 23.12.1905 - 27.5.1947

[crayspond]

Hi there,

I am trying to find out any information on my late Uncle Peter Reynolds (1905 -1947). Particularly the circumstances of his untimely death.

He was a CSM Instructor in the Army Physical Training Corps (3240805) and died 27th May 1947 aged 41 in Weymouth Dorset (Army Camp/Training Establishment).

He is buried with 189 others at the Commonwealth War Graves Commission Melcombe Regis Cemetery, Weymouth, Grave 17 (memorial ID 92177823). He is I think the non-war casualty at the CWGC cemetery.

Inscription reads:

"Always dear in our memory. His wife and family, brothers and sisters."
"Son of Peter and Agnes Reynolds; husband of Sadie Reynolds"

CSM Instructor Warrant Officer Class II
Born: 23.12.1905 Glasgow
Married: 25.2.1931 to Sarah Boylan (known as Sadie)
Died: 27.5.1947 Weymouth, Dorset
Parents: my grandfather Peter Reynolds (1881-1943) and Agnes Malloy (1883 -1919)

Children they had:

Agnes b. 1931 Cambusnethan
Helen b. 1933 Dumfermline
Peter b.1934 Kilwinning
Margaret b. 1936 "
Philip Anthony b. 1938 "
Frank and Violet b.1939 "
Marie b.1940 "
Charles b.1942 "

I have searched and searched but cannot find anything out about how he died. Any help or advice would be much appreciated.

[Currie]

Hello Ailsa,

I’ve sent you a PM.

Alan

[Currie]

Ailsa’s reply to my message.

Hi Alan
My husband Ian is the one who posted. He forgot it would come up as my name. He is doing his family tree and has been puzzling over this uncle for a while. I suggested he try TS as people on the site are very helpful - as you have just demonstrated.
He sends many thanks for your help. It puts an end to the search. To leave 9 children behind is very sad.
Yes please post it on the forum and this reply too if you want.
Best regards
Ailsa

And the newspaper report was from the Gloucester Citizen, Tuesday, May 27, 1947.

SERGEANT MAJOR FOUND HANGED.
Sergt. Major Peter Reynolds (40), Army Physical Training Corps, found hanging to-day, from a clothes post at his home, near Weymouth. He had been on 48 hours’ leave.


All the best,
Alan

[WilmaM]

Oh how sad!

[q98929]

FYI: Interesting to note the number of children born at Kilwinning, Ayrshire. From memory, there was an Army camp ( Royal Army Corps of Transport ? ) on the then main road between Kilwinning and Irvine when I was a boy; early-mid 60s or thereabouts. Kilwinning would have been ideally situated for Married Quarters. Buckreddin Maternity Hospital, now believed to be an old-folks home or similar, was located at Kilwinning.

[crayspond]

Q98929

Thanks for the post. I've past it on to my husband - he says it's a really good point. No one could understand why some were born in kilwinning as there was no connection to the area.
I'm not sure if they would have been born in the maternity hospital in the 30s - I'll try and find out.

[q98]

I am reliably informed the Army Base which I earlier referred to as Royal Army Corps of Transport was, in fact, a Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers (REME) Depot. It saw use during World War II as a training area for Commandos. When the Depot was closed (known to be in use at Sep 1970), the land was taken over by Volvo (known to have vacated by 2011). It is currently known as Eglinton Country Park, located in the grounds of the old Eglinton Castle estate, Kilwinning, in the parish of Kilwinning, and covers an area of 400 ha.
Buckreddan Maternity Home/Hospital is now Buckreddan Care Centre a few miles distant from the Country Park and ideally situated for Married Quarters IF quarters were not present/available on Base. Also close to the Base, but in the opposite direction, was Ayrshire Central Hospital, Irvine which had a dedicated maternity wing. Generally speaking, Buckreddan dealt with “straight-forward” births while Ayrshire Central dealt with “difficult” births.

[crayspond]

Thank you very much for this information. It will be helpful if he tries to locate other members of the family.

Ailsa