[1] Born in Milton, Queensland, on 22 May 1894, Reynolds joined the Australian Imperial Forces at the outbreak of the First World War with the regimental service number 62.

He joined the 3rd Field Ambulance of the 1st Australian Division and served as a stretcher bearer and batman throughout the war, landing at Gallipoli from HMS Ribble before dawn on 25 April 1915 and through the Western Front battles of Fromelles, Mouquet Farm, Ypres, Menin Road and the German counter attacks of Operation Michael and Operation Georgette and finishing with the Battle of Épehy.

Monica died on 4 July 1932 and Reynolds in the same year married Elizabeth Barnett, the local schoolteacher.

After his experiences in the War, he maintained an interest in politics, standing in turn for the Federal Division of Swan as an Independent Country Party candidate, the State Electoral district of Forrest (successfully) and the State Electoral district of Canning for the Labor Party, after Forrest was abolished in the redistribution before the 1950 election.

One of his grandchildren is Linda Reynolds, a Liberal Senator for the State of Western Australia.