Teen confirmed as youngest Second World War casualty

A 14-YEAR-OLD boy killed while serving his country was yesterday confirmed as Britain’s youngest known service casualty of the Second World War.

Reginald Earnshaw, known as Reggie, was just 14 years of age when he died under enemy fire aboard the SS North Devon nearly 70 years ago.

The Merchant Navy cabin boy had lied about his age, claiming he was 15, so that he could join the war effort.