Virtual
War Memorial
Australia

From Narelle Howe, Tasmania in the Great War

Pte Cyril Terence REYNOLDS's brothers included Dvr Hedley James Reynolds & Henry Lewin also served. Weekly Courier--( One of the first, if not the first to land on Gallipoli. Was ordered to go in the third boat but having made a vow to be on the first to put a foot on Turkish soil disobeyed orders and jumped into the first boat. the third boat never reached shore, being sunk with all hands. Reynolds went through the Gallipoli campaign, where he did bravely and has since done good work in France.) He and his brother Henry were members of the 12th Batalion. K.I.A 3 April 1917. Henry survived the war after being wounded three times. Unfortunately he was ran over by a truck during road sealing at Sprent in 1951.

From Sue Guinan, Tasmania in the Great War

The Examiner Launceston 28th April 1917
Word was received by Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds, Penguin, on Thursday evening that their son Private Hedley Reynolds (whose 'having been wounded was reported a few days ago) had succumbed to his injuries. The sad news was received generally with much regret, the young soldier's career having been followed with much interest by local residents. He was, with his brother Corporal Henry Reynolds, almost the first to enlist for active service abroad and was the first man to land on Gallipoli on May 25, 1915. Without a day's rest or illness or wound, he fought right through that campaign, and then on to France, where he was again in the thick of it without respite, until the fatal wounding. He died the day after attaining his 21st birthday.

Mr. and Mrs. James Reynolds (Penguin), whose son, Driver Hedley Reynolds, was killed in action, and another son, Lance-Corporal Henry Reynolds; was wounded, and reported missing, has received the following details from Chaplain Blackwood, under date 3/4/17, from France:—"Just a line to let you know about your dear boy, Driver H. J. Reynolds. He was doing his duty wonderfully, having driven his battery right up, when he was caught by a shell and wounded in the left leg, which was broken at the thigh, and in the left hand. the middle finger cut about, and, I think, broken. I saw him immediately after it happened, being right on the spot myself. He was attended by our doctor, and sent on to hospital. He should be all right In a month or two. I hope you will soon get word of him. He told me of the boys you have at the front. You must be naturally anxious, but we all feel here we are just in God's hands, and He will give just what is best for us all, as we learn to pray "Not my will, but Thine be done." I pray that you may know that security and peace of our Saviour in this your time of anxious waiting." On the 13th the chaplain wrote again:—"My heart just bleeds for you in sincere sym-pathy. I wrote you about your dear son, Hedley J, from the 52nd Battalion, when he was wounded. I thought he had a good chance of getting well, but the Father has willed otherwise, and taken him to Himself. The dear fellow died at the next dressing station, and was reverently buried by my fellow Church of England chaplain, who was with him when he died. I am so sorry for you, but though these things seem hard, they must be all for the best. The Father knows what is best for our eternal good. By this true sacrifice he is calling us all nearer to Him, pleading with us to trust His love. Your dear lad has died in the noblest cause — for others— following the dear Lord's example, who died for us all, so I believe he will share His reward in that better land, where war's sorrows are no more. I pray you may know fully that Divine comfort in this your trial; and that He will give you back your other dear boys." In regard to Lance-Corporal Henry Reynolds, the chaplain wrote: —"You have doubtless long ere this reaches you had news at your son being reported missing. I felt I should write and tell you what one is allowed to, and assure you of my deep personal sympathy in your anxiety. Your fine lad, after so many fights and adventures, went out in the great charge, and was never seen again. It is just possible he may be a prisoner, tlough I am afraid more probable he was cut down by a shell and buried. The shell fire was terrific just then. I often saw him, of course, and spoke to him. We do miss him, but know how much more you will miss him at home. We must just leave him in the Heavenly Father's keeping, knowing He will give just what is best for him and us."