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Auction: 25112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 596

(x) 'You may console yourself, however, knowing that he died a glorious death, well befitting so brave an officer - in action and leading his men.'

The death of Lieutenant S. J. Reeves, M.C. referenced by his friend Lieutenant A. Andrews in a letter to Reeves' mother

The Great War pair awarded in memory of Lieutenant S. J. Reeves, M.C., 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada), late Mississauga Horse, who was Killed in Action in France in August 1917 whilst laying wire at the front

Canadian Memorial Cross, G.V.R. (Lieut. S. J. Reeves. M.C.), reverse marked 'sterling', mounted for wear on silver pin in the shape of a bow, this also marked 'sterling'; International Order of Allied Mothers in Sacrifice, bronze medal, by Wellings, Toronto, named on the reverse to 'Marion A. Reeves', the 's' added later and rather crudely, additionally inscribed on the obverse 'Samuel J. Reeves', Memorial Cross is good very fine, Order of Mothers in Sacrifice with contact wear and scratches, about very fine (2)

[M.C.] London Gazette 7 April 1917.

Samuel John Reeves was born on 3 August 1894 in Toronto, Canada, the son of S.J. Reeves and his wife Marion Audley Reeves. At some stage Marion was left widowed and before the war she lived together with her son at 131 Macdonnell Avenue in Toronto. Prior to his enlistment, the younger Reeves worked as an accountant at the Queen and Lee Avenue branch of the Dominion Bank and was reportedly a popular member of the Balmy Beach Canoe Club. He had also served for three years with the Queen's Own Rifles of Canada.

Reeves received his commission from the 9th Mississauga Horse in 1915 and served with them for two years before being transferred to the 170th Battalion of the Canadian Expeditionary Force, with whom he embarked for England in August 1916 - exactly one year ahead of his death. He proceeded to France that October where he joined the 15th Battalion (48th Highlanders of Canada) upon his arrival.

He was wounded at duty on 2 March 1917, winning the Military Cross the same day for gallantry and devotion to duty in the field. A newspaper later reported the circumstances of his award, as follows:

'During a raid, although wounded, he led his men with great gallantry and succeeded in establishing a blockade at a critical time. Later he searched "No Man's Land" for two and a half hours in order to find a wounded non-commissioned officer.'

The week after this action he was admitted to hospital at Le Touquet suffering from synovitis on his right knee due as a consequence of barbed wire lacerations.

Reeves did not survive long after his award of the M.C. He was killed in action at Hill 70 in France on 16 August 1917, just a couple weeks after his 23rd birthday. The Toronto Star announced his death on 18 September and reproduced the letter written to Marion by his Reeves' friend Lieutenant Arthur Andrews, who was also a former member of the newspaper staff. The letter breaking the tragic news of her son's death is reproduced below:

'Dear Mrs. Reeves: it is my painful duty to write and tell you of the death of your son, Jack Reeves, who has long been one of my best friends. He was instantly killed by shrapnel during an attack on the morning of the 15th. Let me express the deep sympathy of myself, the other officers of the battalion, and the men of his platoon, in your great loss. The colonel has especially asked that his sympathies be extended to you. Jack had been put in charge of the wiring of our new front, one of the most difficult and important jobs in connection with the whole action. He had been specially detailed for this job by the colonel, which will show how high he was in his estimation. Jack was unable to carry out his task, however, as he was struck by shrapnel before he reached the German line and was killed instantly. His batman witnessed his death.

A special carrying party brought Jack's body out to-night, and I hope to be the officer in charge of the firing party and his funeral. His kit was forwarded to you. You may be sure that he will be given a full military funeral.

As you probably know, Jack and I were close friends. We got our commissions together, came over to England together, and got in the same battalion together. He was known better to me than probably anyone else in the battalion W[e] all knew him to be a brave and conscientious officer, highly regarded by his men. His splendid work on the raid when he won the Military Cross showed us what he had in him. I have known few men with such a strong character. In fact I cannot say enough for him, Mrs. Reeves, and I can only say how very, very sorry we feel for you. You may console yourself, however, knowing that he died a glorious death, well befitting so brave an officer - in action and leading his men.'

His battalion went on to distinguish itself in the ensuing attack, and Reeves was later interred at the Mazingarbe Communal Cemetery in Pas de Calais, France. Survived by his mother Marion and his sister, both now living together at 36 Lake Front in Toronto, his pension was later claimed by Marion; sold together with copied research including newspaper extracts.



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Sold for
£500

Starting price
£80