Peterborough & The Great War

Biography

Maurice was born on 20 August 1891 at Castle Hedingham, Essex to parents George Reynolds (general dealer and market gardener) and Jessie Louisa (nee Hardy) Westrop.  In both the 1901 and 1911 Census, the family were living at Crown Street, Castle Hedingham.  Maurice had five siblings, Jessie, Ernest, Herbert, George and Cyril.  In 1911, Maurice’s occupation was grocer’s assistant.  Prior to enlistment his employer was J & H Barnes of Castle Hedingham.

Maurice enlisted with the 2/5 Suffolk Regiment on 12 April 1916 at the age of 24 years 8 months.  He transferred to the 15^th Suffolk Yeomanry Battalion and served in Palestine from 13 February 1917 until 1 May 1918.  From May 1918 until 9 January 1919 he served in France.  In September 1918, he had an operation to a whitlow on his thumb, resulting in a scar so painful he was unable to write with a pencil.  He was demobilised on 13 February 1919 to 69 Histon Road, Cambridge.  He was awarded the British War and Allied Victory Medals.

Maurice was stationed at Doncaster when he passed through Peterborough East Station on 6 February 1917 and signed the visitors’ book.  This was just a week before he was due to be serving in Palestine.

Maurice married Myrtle Lily Sandford on 31 July 1919 at Castle Hedingham.  No record has been found of any children.  In 1939, they were still living at 69 Histon Road, Cambridge and Maurice was listed as a grocer’s shopkeeper.  Maurice died on 21 August 1959 at River View Guest House, Earith, Huntingdonshire on the day after his 68^th birthday.

Maurice’s elder brother George Edgar served as a Rifleman with the Royal Irish Rifles and was killed in action in France on 9 August 1918.  He is buried at Sarralbe Military Cemetery.

Please get in touch if you can tell us more about Maurice and his family.