Second Lieutenant Thomas Frederick Reid
Thomas Frederick Reid was born on 8 September 1892 at 86 Jocelyn Avenue, Belfast, the first of four children of linen merchant (later farmer) Thomas Robert Reid and his wife Annie Eliza (nee Porter). Educated at the Edenderry National School, Portadown, the 1911 Census shows him living with his parents and siblings at Seagoe, Couty Armagh.
Reid enlisted in the North Irish Horse at Portadown on 3 January 1912 (No.651 – later Corps of Hussars No.71056). He was promoted to lance corporal on 1 October 1914 and corporal on 1 February 1915, before reverting to private at his own request nine months later.
On 11 January 1916 Reid embarked for France with E Squadron, which was then serving as divisional cavalry to the 34th Division. The following May, E Squadron came together with A and D Squadrons to form the 1st North Irish Horse Regiment.
Reid returned home on a month's leave in early 1917. On 27 February he married May Amanda Malvina Metcalfe of Dunluce Avenue, Belfast, daughter of cork merchant Thomas Metcalfe.
Following his return to France, on 24 March Reid was promoted to corporal and on 10 July, to lance sergeant.
On 21 February 1918 Reid applied for a commission in the infantry, with a preference for the 9th Battalion, Royal Irish Fusiliers. He embarked for the UK on 22 March where, after a period of leave and time with the 15th Reserve Brigade at Belfast, on 10 May he reported for duty at No.7 Officer Cadet Battalion, Fermoy. There he was assessed as having a very fair standard of education and military knowledge, good power of command and leadership, and special qualifications with the Hotchkiss machine-gun. "[He] should make a good officer."
On 30 October 1918 Reid was commissioned as a 2nd lieutenant and posted direct to France (which battalion he joined is not known at present). He was demobilised on 28 January 1919 and relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921.
It appears that he later lived in Scotland, one record giving his address as 16 Dalry Road, Kilwinning, Ayrshire.