Memories of a soldier who served with the Suffolk Regiment in the Far East

This introduction was written by Carol Reid, giving the background to the life story of her father, William Robert Reid (15th August 1919 - 15th April 2006), The Suffolk Regiment

This is the story of our Father. Before he died we asked him to write down his life history and his diary is attached. It gives a glimpse into the social history of the time but really his story begins with his father - William Reid.

William Reid was born in November 1879 and died in October 1919. He fought in the Boer War with the 82nd Battery Royal Field Artillery as a Gunner. He fought in Blomfontain. He fought in France during the Great War. Invalided out with a lost eye and a bullet lodged in his brain. Probably sustained during the Retreat from Aisne Mons. On a London omnibus he was handed a white feather by a woman. His pride and humiliation led to his re-enlistment as a Flight Sergeant in the Royal Airforce. Manpower was obviously in short supply. The bullet in his brain moved and he died in October 1919. He was 38. He left my Father - a baby of a few months - and a daughter a few years older, my Aunt Peggy. And his young wife - Ethel. She had to fight to get a pension! The reason apparently being he died after the end of the war. After a battle she succeeded. He is buried at Wandsworth (Streatham) Cemetery which is in the perpetual care of the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. What a wonderful organisation they are.

So now we return to William Robert Reid. He did not have a particularly auspicious start to life. But through hard work both he and his sister made something of their lives.

So here is his story written in his own hand.