The son of Thomas H. and Ellen or Nellie Elwell, Reginald was born in Wolverhampton on 16 January 1911. In 1933, Reginald married Ada Palmer in Wolverhampton By 1939, he and his wife were living with his parents at 38 Prestwood Road, Wolverhampton, and Reginald was working as a painter.
Reginald served as a Lance Serjeant in the 8th Battalion of the Parachute Regiment, A. A. C. (service number 5120812). He died on 13 June 1943. Apparently he was taking part in exercise “Bluebell” in Fife, in Scotland, and his group of parachutists accidentally jumped over the sea, and it was reported afterwards that the sun had shone on the green light for “Go”. Seven out of the eight men sadly drowned. Reginald is buried in the churchyard of Holy Trinity in Heath Town, although he is not remembered on their war memorial.
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The research for this blog post was completed by remote volunteer, Doug Lewis.