Reginald Alfred Loader was born in the autumn of 1898, and was the eighth of nine children. His parents – Robert and Amelia – both came from the Dorset village of Lillington, and this is where they raised their family.

Sadly, there is little specific information on Reginald’s life. When war broke out, he stepped up to play his part, and enlisted in the Training Reserve Battalion at some point after October 1916. His unit, the 35th Battalion, was based in Wool, Dorset, but there is no further information about his time there.

The only other concrete information about Private Loader confirms his passing. He died in hospital – through causes unknown – on 7th April 1913. He was just 18 years of age.

Reginald Alfred Loader’s body was taken back to Lillington for burial. He was laid to rest in the graveyard of St Martin’s Church in the village.

---