23172 Private
Reginald Gilbert Garland
2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment
31st July 1917
Grave Reference: lll.J.13.
All references to the North Devon Journal are © Trinity Mirror.
Many thanks to Mark Garland for his assistance in the gathering of the information for this page.
Born in Barnstaple in 1894.He was the only child of
George Garland(1864-25/02/1923) and Hannah Snell
(1870-1914). They married in 1893.
In the 1901 census,the family were recorded as living at
12 New Building Barnstaple Devon.
George was a working as a building contractor.
In the 1911 census,the family had moved to 15 Vicarage Lawn
in Barnstaple.Reginald was employed as a carpenters apprentice and his father was a builder.
Reginald enlisted in Barnstaple into 2nd Battalion Devonshire Regiment and was attached to the trench mortar battery.
In the 23/08/1917 edition of the North Devon Journal ,it was reported that Reginald had been missing at the front for 5 weeks.
In the North Devon Journal edition for 06/09/1917 it reported
"Mr Garland(father)received a second official communication informing him with regret that his son was killed in action on 31/07/1917.Letters from Barum soldiers also places this matter beyond doubt,these going to show that Private Garland was
3 times wounded and that he returned to the attack each time before he fell mortally injured. Prior to the war Private Garland was associated with his father in the building trade.Whilst for some years he was a member of the choir of St Mary Magdalene Church and Holy Trinity Choir in Barnstaple.He was also a member of St Mary's Athletic Club,whilst very fond of music,
he was a clever organist,acting as deputy in this connection at different Churches in the district.Like his father,Private Garland was greatly interested in pigeon fancying,whilst he was also a keen follower of outdoor sports.The deceased was a young man who was greatly liked for his many sterling qualities and with his father general sympathy will be expressed in his bereavement".
In the 11/11/1920 edition of the North Devon Journal,it reported that "The "Reginald Garland" Cup (given by Mr G. Garland) given for the best long face tumbler bald(pigeon) bred by a local exhibitor was won by W.Symons".
On 19/10/1922 the North Devon Journal reported "With a ceremony that touched all hearts,Barnstaple's war memorial was formally unveiled on Sunday afternoon by Colonel the Earl of Fortesque K.C.B. A.D.C. T.D. the Lord Lieutenant of the County of Devon".
All the families of the men recorded on the war memorial placed a dedication in the same newspaper.This is what George wrote for his son.
"In ever loving memory of Reginald Gilbert Garland.
Ever remembered; The only one".