Reginald Hermon: War Hero during World War One-by Michael Roberts
Source: Thuppahis
Features presented in the book VOLUNTEERS fROM CEYLON (2022) … supplemented by additional tit-bits from Richard Dickie Hermon of Trinity College who is now resident in Melbourne, Australia
Reginald Hermon on sentry duty in Windsor Castle in Engl
Wilbraham Hermon, … the Father
REGINALD (Reggie) HERMON
Born 08/08/1898 in Colombo, Ceylon (Father English Mother Kandyan Sinhalese) … Educated at Kingswood College, Kandy Ceylon
Enlisted in 5th Bn Coldstream Guards 17/02/1917.At the age of 18 Yrs and 7 months, stating that he was 21 Yrs. old (he was amongst the first non-white men recruited into a Guards Regt)
Volunteered to be sent to France with the 2nd Bn 06/10/2017
Suffered Shell shock on 28/02 1918…….. Was wounded near Cambrai 09/10/1918 ….. Was awarded Military Medal for bravery in the field (see description recorded by Rev Arthur Hermon below) ….Was demobilised after serving 2yrs and 145 days at the end of WW1.
Returned to Ceylon and took up a career in Planting. Married Violet Winter on 28th July 1928 at St Pauls Church Kandy …. Had 3 sons Rex Kenneth Hermon, Maurice Alfred Hermon and Richard (Dickie) Hermon
Known Estates that he worked on : Ambampitiya Group, Golinda Group, Madeniya Group .During the depression He was employed by James Finlay& co Ltd, and was the first non-expatriate Ceylonese to be employed by that Agency house. He was Senior Asst Supdt on Pelmadulla Valley Group Kahawatte .He was promoted Manager, Mahawella Group Ratnapura, retired from James Finlay and worked on Miyanawita Estate,Deraniyagala, and Templestowe Estate, Rozelle
He bought a small Rubber Estate Meelagashena, in Galagedera. Which he owned for some time. He was a Visiting Agent, and Director of Various plantation companies.
