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Honour for war hero - aged 14
He gave his life for his country at an age when most modern day youngsters are starting to think of their GCSEs.
Dewsbury-born merchant seaman Reggie Earnshaw's death certificate says he was "about 15" when he was killed aboard the SS North Devon in the Second World War.
But it is now thought he may only have been 14 – the youngest British service casualty of the war.
Yesterday, on the 68th anniversary of his death, Reggie's heroism was recognised with a ceremony at his grave in an Edinburgh cemetery.
His former shipmate, Alf Tubb, unveiled a granite headstone in his memory before recalling how he tried in vain to rescue his pal from the SS North Devon's engine room after it was attacked by German aircraft off Grimsby in 1941.
Mr Tubb, now 86, said: "I only knew young Reggie for a short time but we were good friends. It still upsets me to think of a young lad trapped inside that engine room. I couldn't save him."
Reggie's death certificate says his date of birth was February 5 1926, which would have made him 15 when he was killed.
No record exists, however, of a Reginald Earnshaw being born on that date in Dewsbury.
Paperwork has been found, though, which shows someone of that name was born in the town exactly a year later.
Historians believe that, like many of his contemporaries, Reggie may have lied about his age so he could serve in the war.
If that was the case, then he would have been 14 years and 152 days old when he died.
The youngest confirmed British service casualty of the Second World War is Raymond Steeds. Another merchant seaman, he died aged 14 years and 207 days.
Records show that Reggie was born at the old Moorlands Hall maternity home in Dewsbury.
His mother's name is listed as Dorothy Earnshaw and she appears to have had links with Healey, near Ossett.
Little else has come to light about Reggie's life prior to the war, although his last known address was in Edinburgh.
His new headstone was funded by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission.
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Wednesday 08 February 2012
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