Driver R. Cariss

FIRST NAMES: Reginald

NUMBER: T/1456980

RANK: Driver

UNIT: R.A.S.C.

DOB:1918

MARITAL STATUS: Single

OCCUPATION: Coalman

DATE OF ENLISTMENT: 1941

STATUS: Killed in Action

DATE OF DEATH: 7th July 1944

WHERE BURIED: St. Manvieu, France

MEDALS: France and Germany Star, 1939-45 Star, Defence Medal, Victory Medal

Reginald Cariss was born in 1918 and was the son of Jonah and Emily Cariss. The family moved to Northallerton and Reginald became a jack of all trades. He was a milkman and coalman and would do any sort of job that was available. Reggie was extremely small, no more than 5ft in height and was considered by many to be too short for the armed forces. But, like many others, he was eventually called up and joined the Royal Army Service Corps.

Prior to D-Day in 1944 Reggie was attached to the 701st Infantry Division Troop Company of the RASC. It was with this company that he landed on the beaches of Normandy shortly after the 6th of June. On July 7th Reggie was killed while advancing with the infantry against the vicious counter attacks launched by the German Panzer Divisions.

Reginald Cariss is buried in St. Manvieu War Cemetery, France, Plot 13, Row C, Grave 5. He is also remembered on the Northallerton War Memorial and the All Saints Parish Church Memorial.

Reggie was aged 26 years.