Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

Reginald William Loader was born in the suburb of Payneham, Adelaide, South Australia. Reginald was son to father Mr. William Henry Loader and to Reginald’s next of kin, his mother, Mrs. Georgina Matthew Loader. Reginald had a brother Harold Loader, who enlisted to the army at the same time as Reginald, with their regimental number being one number apart from each other.

Reginald juggled between his schooling life, and his job as a baker with his brother Harold.

As war broke out, an 18-year-old Reginald William Loader felt the urge to enlist. And so he did. On the 2nd of December 1914, Reginald embarked on a journey that would change his life forever. He embarked from his hometown of Adelaide, with his brother Harold Loader. Reginald embarked on the RMS Malwa, an Australian ship.

Reginald was placed in the 16th Battalion as the 12th reinforcement. This Battalion was made of 75% Western Australians, and 25% of South Australians. The Battalion embarked to Turkey on Boxing Day in 1914. The Battalion preceded to Egypt, just after a brief stop at Albany, Western Australia. They arrived in Egypt in early February of 1915. The Battalion then arrived at ANZAC Cove on the 25th of April 1915.

A week after the landing, Reginald, was tossed into the attack on Bloody Angle causing many casualties to the Battalion, but none including Reginald. The Battalion was seriously involved in securing and defending the front line of the ANZAC foothold, from May to August. In August, Reginald, along with the Battalion, attacked Hill 971. Even though the Battalion secured the hill, it wasn’t easy. And it cost many lives. However, the Turks forced the Australians to withdraw, including Reginald. Reginald then served at ANZAC until the evacuation in December. During his time at ANZAC, Reginald was not wounded and was medically okay. 

Reginald then returned to Egypt, after the departure from Gallipoli. The 16th Battalion was split, and joined with other brigades and the 48th Battalion, to form one strong Battalion.

In June 1916, Reginald sailed for France and the Western Front. When Reginald arrived at his destination, he was involved in bloody trench warfare. On the 24th of June 1916, Reginald absented himself from camp from 9pm to 9:30am the next morning. As a result of this, Reginald was docked 2 days pay.

After Reginald’s punishment, he was involved in his first major action in France at Pozieres in the Somme Valley.

Reginald then spent most of 1917 in Belgium progressing to the Hindenburg Line. The Battalion suffered heavy losses at Bullecourt in April, when they attacked strong German positions.

Reginald then participated in the Great Allied Offensive of 1918, fighting near Amiens on the 8th of August 1918. 

During Reginald’s time in serving for Australia, he hadn’t always done the right things. On the 22nd of August 1918, as the Battalion continued operations, a Court Martial was held towards Reginald for a number of charges. The first charge against Reginald was for conduct to the prejudice of good order. The second charge was again for conduct to the prejudice of good order. And the last charge Reginald was faced with was for more rough conduct, but this time towards his superior Officer. Being found guilty, Reginald was sentenced to 56 days imprisonment.  

After Reginald’s imprisonment, he returned back to the fighting front in France, until he and the surviving 48th Battalion, returned home, to Australia, on the 19th of April 1919.

As a true reflection of Reginald William Loader’s courage, and service to his country, Australia, Reginald was award The British War Medal and The Victory Medal. Reginald risked his life for his country and these medals tell us that.

Reginald William Loader continued living his life. Until sadly, Reginald William Loader died on the 4th of January 1949, aged 51. He is buried at the Payneham Cemetery, South Australia.

BIOGRAPHY 

https://rslvirtualwarmemorial.org.au

https://www.aif.adfa.edu.au/search

https://www.awm.gov.au/people/roll-search/all/?preferred_name=&service_number=&unit=&conflict=0&op=Search

http://recordsearch.naa.gov.au/NameSearch/Interface/NameSearchForm.aspx

http://trove.nla.gov.au/?q&adv=y 

https://www.awm.gov.au/collection/awm4/