THE SHORT life of Harlow resident John Reed as read by Sarah Wragg.

This project was brought to you by HTS Ltd and Harlow Council’s Civic Fund.

Never Forget.

John’s parents were William Reed, born in Harlow in 18521 and Sarah Susannah Pavitt, born in Kennington in 18522. They married in c.1873 and John Reed was born in Harlow in 18943.

The 1901 census recorded John living in Back Street, next to The Crown Inn with his parents and siblings Walter, Agnes, Margaret, Albert and his nephew Percy. William was working as a bricklayer while his sister Agnes was working as a domestic servant. The 1911 census shows John living in Market Street, which had previously been called Back Street. John was working as a bricklayer’s apprentice at the age of sixteen. His father William was working as a bricklayer.

Corporal John Reed, 200385 enlisted in Harlow and served in the 1st/4th Battalion of The Essex Regiment. The battalion fought in Gallipoli in 1915 and in 1916 defended the Suez Canal.
John was killed in action on 26 March 1917, aged 22. He is buried in The Gaza War Cemetery, Israel. Plot 18, row C, grave 6. Register Index Number P8.