Private Edward James Reynolds In the Great War

Shot at Dawn

Private Edward James Reynolds the seventh Canadian Shot at Dawn during a short period in the summer of 1916 when the CEF executed seven men. As part of the British Army, these sentences approved by General Sir Douglas Haig. Though 222 sentences of death passed during the Great War, only 25 Canadians faced a firing squad at dawn. Decisions of the courts-martial appear, more often than not, to have been quite random and arbitrary, as with the case of Pte Reynolds.

Enlistment of Rifleman Edward James Reynolds

404436 Rifleman Edward James Reynolds born on 2 January 1896 in Toronto. In April 1915, Reynolds enlisted in the 35th Battalion. By November 1915, Reynolds was a member of the 3rd Battalion in the line near Ploegsteert.

Bronchitis

Admitted to No. 2 CFA with Bronchitis, 3 May 1916. Discharged from 1st Can Div Conv Coy on 18 May 1916. Transferred to APM by order of ADMS for duty with Traffic Control.

Rejoined 3rd Battalion on 4 July 1916.

The Bluff

On 25 July 1916, the Germans exploded a mine under a portion of the front line called “The Bluff”. The 3rd Battalion ordered forward to plug the resulting gap in the front line. However, Reynolds fell out from his platoon only to be found 2 days later at his battalion’s transport lines. Reynolds claimed that he had been ordered back and got lost. This excuse accepted.

Desertion

During the following night (26 July 1916), Reynolds ordered to accompany a ration party up to the front line. Again Reynolds fell out and went back to his battalion’s transport lines. This time Reynolds arrested and charged with desertion.

In confinement awaiting trial from 25 July 1916. The Battalion now in reserve at Bulford Camp, south-west of Nieuwkerke.

FGCM

Found guilty by a FGCM and sentenced to death 8 August 1916. At this time, the battalion at Munque Farm, just west of Ploegsteert Wood. Gen Sir D Haig approves the sentence.

No evidence Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel William Donald Allan DSO made any attempt to spare Edward’s life. Only a week after the execution, LCol Allan admitted to hospital with neuralgia and Influenza. Evacuated to England, he died of “an abscess on the brain”. His remains later repatriated and buried at Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Toronto, Grave 11-27.

Chalk Quarry

At 05:27 on 23 August 1916, Reynolds (aged 20) executed by firing squad at Chalk Quarry located at Sheet 27.J.28.c.70.15, just east of Cassel, France. His remains brought back 30 km to Longuenesse Souvenir Cemetery, Plot IV, Row A, Grave 39. Perhaps the only instance where the exact location of execution noted.

During the summer of 1916, the CEF executed seven men (one for murder).

Killed in Action

The truth of Edward’s death related to the family following the Great War.

Contact CEFRG

Private Pierre-Côme Laliberté born on 24 February 1896, in Deschaillons, Lotbinière County, Québec. Baptized Pierre-Côme Laliberté. Son of Ludger Laliberté (deceased in 1907), and Eugénie Hamel, of Montréal, Québec.