RENTOUL, Alexander (Lieutenant)
4291 b. 1887, Clayton d. Wed. 27th March 1918 (aged 31)

Born into a middle class family in the late 1880’s Alexander was the son of Dr Robert Rentoul, surgeon and Clara Wallis. Clara’s father was the prominent Claytonian, mill owner and philanthropist Alfred Wallis who lived at Glenholme, Clayton. Alex’s parents lived at Longfield on Oakleigh Road, built by Alfred Wallis as a wedding present.

Unfortunately, Alex’s father; Dr Robert Rentoul, died on 7th January 1901 whilst at sea on SS. Burma. He was on a voyage taken for his health.

The widowed Clara and her son Alex moved to The Gables on Pasture Lane and then to Elm House on Pasture Lane.

Very little is known about Alex’s childhood until he joined up, but what can be ascertained is that he must have had some connection to riding or horses, as his regiment was essentially a cavalry one. The Yorkshire Hussars were a small unit by the standards of the Great War, with only a select few men ever serving. Their role throughout the most part of the war was still as infantry in the trenches, although their background and heritage was always as mounted troops; men serving in this regiment would normally have to have had experience of dealing with horses before they were allowed to join.

He also served as Private 4291 in the ranks of the ‘Inns of Court’ Regiment, a very unusual unit that dealt primarily in Officer Training. This battalion was very much for a select few and the vast majority were part of the law trade in London. Information pertaining to the unit is sparse at best but it seems that the unit has been only available to a privileged group of young men who were destined for greater things.

Until very recently very little was known about Alex’s time in France but a chance find in Scholemoor Cemetery sheds some light. On his parents’ tomb a small inscription at the base reads – “Also, in memory of our son Alexander, Lieutenant, Royal flying Corps. Shot down in March 1918 whilst on reconnaissance behind German lines.”.

Many R.F.C. men kept their original regimental titles and ranks whilst flying, as this was the period before the R.A.F. Alexander’s time as a flyer seems to have been skipped over in all known military sources, but at least something can now be written about the nature of his death.

The CWGC lists Alexander as being in 25th Sqdn. Royal Flying Corps and Yorkshire Hussars Yeomanry. He is buried at Queens Cemetery, Bucquoy.

Serving as aircrew in the Royal Flying Corps (RFC) was one of the most dangerous roles in the First World War. Aviation was still a very new science, training was minimal, safety systems were basic to non-existent, and the aircraft themselves incredibly basic and fragile.

Alex’s probate record shows his address as Glenholme, Clayton. It may have been that his mother Clara moved to her childhood home after Robert her husband died? The record shows his estate valued at £606 was left to Clara’s sisters, his aunts Fanny and Lillie Wallis.