Name: Reginald Robert Bladwell
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Date of birth: 1888
Place of birth: Newtown (Sydney)
Link to Wagga: A farmer – most likely place of employment
Date of enlistment: March 16, 1916
Age at enlistment: 27 years 10 months
Battalion or Regiment: 5th Reinforcements, 56th Battalion
Battlefields: Western Front
Outcome: Killed in action, September 30, 1918
REGINALD Robert Bladwell, born in 1888 at Newtown, was the elder son of two born to Joseph Charles and Laura (née Barnes).
His brother, Arthur Edwin, won a Military Medal for services at Ypres.
Both brothers were farmers prior to enlisting, with Wagga believed to be where Reginald was employed.
He enlisted on March 16, 1916, aged 27 years and 10 months.
Reginald embarked from Sydney aboard HMAT Aeneas on September 30, 1916, disembarking at Plymouth two months later.
In December, 1916, Reginald proceeded overseas to France.
Here, on January 9, 1917, he forfeited two days’ pay when convicted of the following crime:
“When on A/S (active service) breaking into 51st General Hospital by climbing barbed wire fencing and attempting to leave in the same manner”.
At this time, Reginald’s brother, Edwin, was being treated at the 51st General Hospital, suffering from syphilis and mumps.
On February 10 he marched out with his unit, and, in July, attended Observing School in France.
On October 12, he was appointed Lance Corporal, and two weeks later was wounded in action, receiving a shell wound to the left arm.
February, 1918, saw Reginald detached for duty with the 184th Tunnelling Company.
After rejoining his original battalion on March 24, 1918, Reginald was killed in action in the field in France just six months later.
He is buried in the Nauroy Churchyard, 11 kilometres from St. Quentin.
