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Reginald and Albert Childs were born in Cosgrove. They lived at number 11 The Green, with their father Amos, who worked as a “Sanitary labourer” for the Council, and their mother Sarah. Albert was the oldest, then came Reginald. There were two younger brothers, Francis and Oliver, and a younger sister, Winifred. Reginald and Albert worked as “domestic gardeners” as boys, probably at one of the big houses in Cosgrove.
Reginald later got work with Ebbs, a building firm in Wolverton, and probably walked or cycled to work every day down the towpath.
Reginald would have been about 19 years old when he was killed in France during the battle of the Somme. He was a Private in C Company, 2nd Battalion Oxford and Bucks, number 18785.
Wolverton Express 16th September 1916
KILLED
Private R Childs, Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, son of Mr Amos Childs, Cosgrove. He has been in the firing line in France for 12 months, and was home on leave at Cosgrove last February. Was shot in the head in the evening whilst on outpost duty. Worked prior to the War for Messrs Ebbs, builders, Wolverton.
Wolverton Express 22nd September 1916
MEMORIAL SERVICE
On Sunday evening the service took the form of a memorial service for the late Pte R A Childs, who was recently killed in action. There was a large congregation.
Wolverton Express 29th September 1916
Following on our notice last week of the death in action of Private R A Childs, Capt. W J Littledale has sent a letter to Mr A Childs as follows:
“I am afraid I have some very sad news about your son, Pte R A Childs, of C Company, Oxford and Bucks LI. He was killed in action early in the morning of the 8th September; he was hit by a bullet and died at once. I wish I could express the sympathy we feel for you; we shall miss him very much. He was a bomber, and was one of those who always did their very best at his work. He was buried in a cemetery which is very well looked after, and a cross is raised over his grave. I have requested the Graves Registration Committee to send you a photograph of the same. Would you kindly let me know if you receive it safely, or if you do not within six weeks. I intend to visit the grave myself as soon as I have time. Please let me know if there is anything I can do, as I am only too pleased to do anything I can to help the relatives of the brave men who have fallen for us.
Yours sincerely, W J Littledale; Captain.
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Reginald is buried in SUCRERIE MILITARY CEMETERY, COLINCAMPS, Somme, France. Grave I. I. 47.
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Albert Childs was a Private, number 14783.
Wolverton Express 28th September 1917
MISSING
Private Albert Thomas Child(s) Oxford and Bucks Light Infantry, eldest son of Mr and Mrs A J Child(s), Cosgrove. Reported missing since August 22. Aged 25.
Albert was killed on Wednesday 22nd August 1917, probably at Ypres. He apparently enlisted whilst in Buxton, Derbyshire, although we don’t know why he was there.
His name is remembered at TYNE COT MEMORIAL, Zonnebeke, West-Vlaanderen, Belgium. Panel 96 to 98.
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