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19072   Corporal Alexander Reid
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Dated added: 30/12/2015   Last updated: 12/11/2021
Personal Details
Regiment/Service: 2nd Battalion, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers (British Army)
Date Of Birth: 14/02/1878
Died: 29/09/1918 (Killed in Action)
Age: 40
Summary      
Alexander Reid was the only son of George and Elizabeth Reid. He was born on 14th February 1878 in Dungannon. Alex Reid worked for twenty years as a clerk in the service of the Great Northern Railway Company, having been employed at Derry and other places. Alexander enlisted in Londonderry. Corporal Alexander Reid was serving with the 2nd Battalion of Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 29th September 1918 by a German sniper while attending to his officer’s wounds.
Further Information
Alexander Reid was the only son of George and Elizabeth Reid. George Reid and Eliza Stuart were married on 15th April 1877 in the district of Dungannon.
Alexander Reid was born on 14th February 1878 in Dungannon.
Known family: George Reid, Elizabeth Reid, Alexander Reid (born 14th February 1878), Eliza Reid (born 27th May 1879), Annie Reid?
The 1901 census lists Alexander as age 22, living at house 9 in Finelly, Benburb, Tyrone. He was a farm servant.
The 1911 census lists Alex as age 32, a boarder at house 1 in Foyle Road, Londonderry. He was a railway clerk.
Alex Reid worked for twenty years as a clerk in the service of the Great Northern Railway Company, having been employed at Derry and other places.
Alexander enlisted in Londonderry.
Medal card
Lance Corporal Alexander Reid arrived in France with the Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers on 5th October 1915.
Corporal Alexander Reid was with the 2nd Battalion of Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers when he was killed in action on 29th September 1918 by a German sniper while attending to his officer's wounds.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 24 October 1918:
Corporal Alex Reid, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, who was killed in action on 29th September 1918 by a German sniper while attending to his officer's wounds, was the only son of the late Mr George Reid of Annaginney, Carland, and brother of Miss Reid, and Mrs Caldwell, of Tullylake, Donaghmore, and a nephew of Mr Gerard Steward, of Creevagh, Carland. The deceased had been for over 20 years a clerk in the service of the Great Northern Railway Company, having been employed at Derry and other places. His officer writes to his relatives stating that the deceased had been a good soldier and was beloved by all his comrades. The chaplain of his regiment also writes paying tribute to the attention which the deceased paid to his religious duties.
From the Tyrone Courier and Dungannon News dated Thursday 25 September 1919:
REID – In loving memory of my dear brother, 19072 Corporal Alexander Reid, Royal Inniskilling Fusiliers, killed in action at Ypres on 29th September 1918.
Far and oft my thoughts do wander
To a grave far, far away,
Where they laid my dearest brother,
Just one year ago today.
He will never be forgotten,
Never will his memory fade
My sweetest thoughts will ever linger.
Out in France, where he is laid.
Ever remembered by his loving sister Annie Caldwell, Tullynure, Donaghmore.
Alexander Reid was the brother of Miss Reid, and Mrs Caldwell, of Tullylake, Donaghmore.
Corporal Alexander Reid has no known grave and is commemorated on the Tyne Cot Memorial, nine kilometres north east of Ypres town centre in Belgium
Corporal Alexander Reid is also commemorated on the Great Northern Railway WWI Memorial which resides in Belfast Central Railway Station.
Corporal Alexander Reid is commemorated locally on Dungannon War Memorial.
The CWGC records Corporal Alexander Reid as the son of George and Elizabeth Reid of Annaginney, Dungannon, County Tyrone.
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Relevant Dungannon Area Locations
No Location Region Location Notes Longtitude Latitude
1 Finelly, Benburb Benburb Census listing in Finelly, Benburb 54.454373 -6.750784
GRONI References
TYPE - B:Birth M:Marriage D:Death | GRONI | SIBLING: brother or sister | NOTES: spelling inconsistencies, etc.
Date Type Surname First name Relationship GRONI Ref Notes
15/04/1877 M Stuart Eliza Parent M/1877/T1/1427/2/15b
15/04/1877 M Reid George Parent M/1877/T1/1427/2/15a
14/02/1878 B Reid Alexander Casualty U/1878/112/1012/11/80 Stewart
27/05/1879 B Reid Eliza Sibling U/1879/112/1012/11/491 Stewart
References and Links
No Link Reference Map Doc
1 1901 Census lists Alexander Reid Lists Alexander as age 22 living at house 9 in Finelly, Benburb, Tyrone
2 1911 Census lists Alex Reid Lists Alex as age 32 living as a boarder at house 1 in Foyle Road, Londonderry Urban, Londonderry
3 Great Northern Railway Listed on Memorial
4 National Archives UK Medal Card can be purchased here
Dungannon District's War Dead Acknowledgements 2015-2023