William REYNISH 1884 to ?

The photo was found in a "History of Royal Wiltshire & Yeomanry" by Brig. J.R.I. PLATT, published in 1981. It shows the sergeants of "A" Squadron at Christmas 1916 in France. Sergeant W. REYNISH is seated at bottom right hand corner of this picture.

I believe him to be William REYNISH son of Joshua REYNISH & Mary Ann (nee KING). He was born in Salisbury in 1884. He is in the 1891 census in Salisbury aged 7 living with his parents and 7 siblings. In 1901 he is still living with his parents and 2 siblings in Salisbury and his occupation is Corn Salesman. In 1911 he has moved to Winchester and is now with his sister Louisa who married Charles YOUNG in Salisbury in 1910. He is now 27, a coal salesman and single.

According to his medal roll at The National Archives (TNA ref. WO372/16) he enlisted on 5 June 1916. His regimental number is 320206. He was later in the Reserve Dragoons and became a 2nd Lieut. in the City of London Yeomanry.

I cannot find a marriage or death for William. He is not in the Commonwealth War Graves Commission (CWGC) website. If references are needed please contact me and if you have further information I would be very pleased to receive it.

REYNISH ONE-NAME REUNION

There is to be a REYNISH reunion held on the weekend of Sat and Sun 2 and 3 October 2010 at Solva Memorial Hall. Please contact Pat to express your interest in this event so that she can send you more details.
There are two speakers already arranged and a dinner on Saturday. Then on Sunday there will be a local history event(details later).
This reunion is, coincidentally, happening during the same year as the 900th anniversary of the founding of Haverfordwest by the Flemings. Reynish is thought to be a Flemish name of course. Please support us and see:
http://www.haverfordwesttown.co.uk/haverfordwest900.asp

The REYNISH oral history relates that the ancestors of the present day families were Flemish. An interesting quote is to be found in Gerald of Wales' "Itinerary through Wales" in the chapter covering "Haverford and Ros" in 1188.

"The inhabitants of this province derived their origin from Flanders, and were sent by King Henry 1st to inhabit these districts: a people brave and robust, ever most hostile to the Welsh: a people, I say, well versed in commerce and woollen manufacturies: a people anxious to seek gain by sea and land, in defiance of fatigue and danger: a hardy race, equally fitted for the plough or the sword: a people brave and happy."

I believe that the REYNISHs did and still do live up to these comments-however not so hostile to the Welsh these days but now assimilated into their culture, language, society and history.