Frederick Austin Reynolds

Service number: 191

Rank: Sapper

Unit: 1 Field Company Australian Engineers

Service: Australian Army

Date of death: 25 April 1915

Cause of death: Killed in action

Cemetery or memorial details: Shrapnel Valley Cemetery, Gallipoli, Turkey

War Grave Register notes: REYNOLDS, Spr. Fred, 191. 1 Fd Coy Australian Engineers. Killed in action 25th April, 1915. I. C. 17.

Source: AWM145 Roll of Honour cards, 1914-1918 War, Army

Fred Reynolds’ mother lived at Ivybells, Queenscliff; his father latterly lived at Aston Lodge, Lauderdale Avenue. Sydney Morning Herald 29 October 1917, p5 carried a short obituary. He was 21 and was born in New Zealand, but had lived all his life in Sydney. He was a military electrician and was stationed at the Submarine Mining Station, Chowder Bay.

He was a lifesaver with the Manly Seagulls club at South Steyne, and had saved several lives. He is thought to have been the very first fatality at the Gallipoli landings.

A photo in the AWM collection shows his body lying on the beach as soldiers disembark nearby. He was mentioned in dispatches by General Hamilton for conspicuous bravery at Gallipoli. See SMH 25 April 1916 and 25 April 1917 for In Memoriam tributes from his family and friends, including a poem from Maude and a tribute from Alice Stronlund, not identified, possibly a family friend. Also Newcastle Herald 25 April 1925, p4, for an In Memoriam from his brother Reuben Reynolds, now living at Stockton.

See also extra Fact Sheet attached below.