Private Joseph Reynolds

 

Joseph Andrews Rollins (his real name) was born at Chapel Street, Cookstown, County Tyrone, on 19 October 1895, the fourth of eight children of cabinet maker John Rollins and his wife Eliza Anne (née Slane (or Slaine)). His mother died of tuberculosis when he was just twelve years old. His father remarried shortly afterwards, before moving to Coleriane and later to Belfast.

Little is known of his military service during the war. A report in the Mid-Ulster Mail of 12 December 1914 stated that he had "joined Kitchener's Army, [and] is in training in Dublin."

It seems that he must have either absconded from his regiment, been discharged or transferred, for by September 1915 newspaper reports have him as a trooper in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron. On 29 September 1915 the Belfast News-Letter reported that:

At Cookstown Petty Sessions on Friday James Rollins, a private in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, was charged with being an absentee from his regiment and also with being in illegal possession of a bicycle the property of Robert McAlpin, Newtownards. From the evidence it appeared that the police had information that the bicycle was lent to a soldier named Joseph Rollins, who was an absentee, and the prisoner, who was arrested in Cookstown, admitted that he had got the bicycle from his brother Joseph, who might have borrowed it from McAlpin. Accused admitted that he was an absentee. A warrant was issued transmitting the accused to Newtownards.

On 16 October 1915 the Belfast News-Letter reported from the Newtownards Petty Sessions:

Robert McAlpine, Little Frances Street, on 18th ult. lent his bicycle, value £8, to Trooper Joseph Reynolds, 6th (Reserve) Inniskilling Dragoons, to go to Antrim town, on the understanding that the bicycle would be returned the following Tuesday at the latest. This was not done, and McAlpine swore an information that he believed Reynolds had obtained the bicycle from him for the purpose of feloniously converting it to his own use and that he had stolen it by false pretences. The bicycle was found in the possession of Trooper James Reynolds, who had gone to Cookstown to visit some friends. When arrested he stated that his brother Joseph had lent the bicycle to him. Mr. A. Stewart, who appeared for the accused, submitted that no felonious intent had been proved against him. He was simply lent the bicycle. The magistrates agreed and unanimously refused informations.

Although cleared of the bicycle theft, it seems that this process led to James being discharged from the army, and the same may have happened to Joseph.

Nothing more has been discovered about Joseph during the war, although a report in Glasgow's Sunday Mail of 9 May 1920 stated that:

Some two years ago, or thereabouts, [James Rollins] went to reside in Glasgow with Joseph Rollins, an older brother, who lost a leg in the war ...

 

As recorded above, Joseph's brother James Reynolds also served in the war in the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron.

 

This page last updated 14 August 2023.