Private Robert Reid
The background of this North Irish Horseman is not known for certain. The Presbyterian Church in Ireland Roll of Honour, however, records a Robert Reid of the North Irish Horse, from William Street, Sligo. He may, therefore, be the Robert Reid born on 10 September 1872 at Barrack Street, Sligo, son of soldier Robert Reid and his wife Elizabeth (nee Ritchie). It seems he later moved to Belfast. By the time of the 1911 Census he was living at 30 Rosemary Street and working as a commercial traveller in drapery.
Reid enlisted in the North Irish Horse between 8 and 10 August 1914 (No.961). Just days later, on 20 August, he embarked for France with C Squadron, seeing action on the retreat from Mons and advance to the Aisne.
In June 1916 C Squadron combined with F Squadron and the 6th (Inniskilling) Dragoons Service Squadron to form the 2nd North Irish Horse Regiment, serving as corps cavalry to X Corps until September 1917, when the regiment was disbanded and its men transferred to the infantry. Like most, Reid was posted to the 9th (Service) Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers – renamed the 9th (North Irish Horse) Battalion – on 20 September, joining it in the field at Ruyaulcourt five days later. He was issued regimental number 41484. It is likely that he saw action with the battalion at the Battle of Cambrai in November and December 1917.
No information has been located about Reid's service with the 9th (NIH) Battalion through 1918.