Killed in action aged 25
No known grave
Paulyn Charles James Reginald was born at Old Park, Ashby-de-la-Zouch, the elder son of the Hon. Paulyn F. C. Rawdon-Hastings and Lady Maud Rawdon-Hastings daughter of the 2nd Earl of Verulam.
He was educated at Wixenford and Eton and came up to Christ Church in 1908. He was Page to his uncle, the Earl of Loudon, at the Coronations of Edward VII and George V and had both Coronation Medals.
In 1912, he was commissioned as Second Lieutenant in the 1/5th Battalion, the Leicestershire Regiment and was promoted Lieutenant the following March. He was promoted Captain on 30 August 1914 and served with the Expeditionary Force in France and Flanders.
Paulyn was killed in action during the attack by the North Midlands Division, on the Hohenzollern Redoubt, on 31 October 1915.
“Captain Hastings decided to attempt a bayonet attack against the German opposition on the left of the Redoubt, and himself led his men up to the attack. Again Platoon Commanders were the first to fall, and as they climbed out of our trenches, 2nd Lieut. Lawton was mortally wounded in the stomach and 2nd Lieut. Petch badly shot through the arm. However, this did not delay the attack, and the Company, crossing the German front line, quickened their pace and made for the junctions of "Little Willie" and "N. Face." Once more bombs and machine guns were too hot for them, and first Capt. Hastings, then 2nd Lieut. Moss were killed near the German second line, leaving the Company in the hands of 2nd Lieut. Tomson and C.S.M. Gorse, who at once organised the platoons for the defence of the second line, realising that it was useless to try to advance further. 2nd Lieut. Petch, in spite of his wound, remained several hours with his platoon, but eventually had to leave them. The ground was covered with the dead and wounded of the other Battalions, Fosse and Dump trenches were filled”
Paulyn’s commanding officer wrote, “We all miss your son grievously and the men in the company know that they have lost a good officer and friend. The example of a perfect life led by your son has left its impression on us and the men”.
He is commemorated on the Loos Memorial Panel 42 to 44.
He had been heir-presumptive to his uncle, the Earl of Loudon. Both his sisters succeeded to the various Loudon titles.
His brother Edward H H Rawdon-Hastings had died from enteric fever on 15 September 1915.