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Quorn WW1 Roll of Honour - Reginald John Backhouse
Died 9th August 1918, aged 31
Rosičres, the Somme, France
A Canadian soldier
It may seem surprising to find a member of the Canadian Forces remembered in Quorn, but there are three overseas soldiers on Quorn War Memorial. Reginald Backhouse signed up with the Canadian Infantry, (British Columbia Regiment), shortly after war broke out in 1914.
A childhood in Quorn
William and Eliza Backhouse married in Yorkshire in 1882 and shortly afterwards moved to Quorn, settling initially on Freehold Street. They had four children, including Reginald, their eldest son, who was born in Quorn in 1886. William ran a plumbing and gas fitting firm, and as his business prospered, the family moved to a larger property called Raven Cottage, now 31 Meeting Street, next to the Blacksmith’s Arms pub. Reginald attended Quorn Sunday School and Rawlins Grammar School, and was involved in village life - but this was a time of change, and Reginald didn’t see his future in England.
Emigrating to Canada
In the early 1900s many people were emigrating to Canada and America. Reginald joined one of the ships sailing the Atlantic, working as a purser (senior steward), eventually settling in Canada. His Canadian Infantry sign-up papers show that he was still single and had spent three years with the 15th Light Horse, Calgary. He was described as a sturdy 5 feet 10 inches tall, with a 40 inch chest, blue eyes and light auburn hair.
Killed in action
Lieutenant Reginald Backhouse was killed at Rosičres on the Somme. His body was recovered and is buried in the nearby cemetery.
William and Eliza, by this time living at 83 Loughborough Road, remained in Quorn until they died in the 1930s. Reginald is also commemorated on the Rawlins Rolls of Honour, see Artefact 2261 and Artefact 2262.
Reginald’s family are not related to another Backhouse family living in Quorn in 2018.
Below - A modern photograph of Reginald’s home, Raven Cottage, 31 Meeting Street.
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