The Scottish Military Research Group - Commemorations Project

FortyTwa · Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 128 Location: United Kingdom

This rather nice family tribute hangs on the wall of the spiral staircase of the Gateway to the Glens Museum in Kirriemuir.

The label says six sons but the text in the frame names seven and there are clearly seven lads in the picture along with Maw and Paw Reid.

Top centre son is said to have enlisted in New Zealand so maybe he doesn't count as serving King & Country.

I shall delve further...

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:03 am Post subject:

There are Reid brothers, George & James, on the Wms at Blair Atholl and Aberfeldy respectively - both postmen in the area but from Kirriemuir. Their parents were Mr and Mrs James Reid, 3 Tillyloss, Kirriemuir. Is this the same family ?

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 10:05 am Post subject:

PEOPLE'S JOURNAL: 30.01.1915
BLAIR ATHOLL POSTMAN KILLED IN ACTION

Information has been received in Blair Atholl that Corporal George Reid, of the 1st Black Watch, has died from wounds received at the front on 31st December. Corporal Reid, who was 32 years of age, rejoined the 42d on the outbreak of the war, having previously served in the famous corps. He was unmarried, and for the last five or six years had been a postman at Blair Atholl. A brother, Private James Reid, of the H.L.I., in postal service at Aberfeldy, has been missing since the 20th September last. Both belong to Kirriemuir, and it is understood that four other brothers are serving their King and country.

FortyTwa · Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 128 Location: United Kingdom

That'll be them. Didn't have any means of transcribing the text below the picture but it did refer to two of them having worked as posties in Aberfeldy/Blair Atholl area.

Wasn't initially sure if it counted as a memorial as such but decided on balance that it was so posted it up - glad I did.

I should manage a trip through to Kirrie at the weekend and will take a pencil and paper with me.

dhubthaigh · Posted: Thu Apr 08, 2010 2:50 pm Post subject:

Well, well, well! That's fantastic - thanks for posting this. Look forward to the text.

mikky · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 171

FortyTwa Brilliant, well done. Am very glad you did post it. James Reid is one of men named on Aberfeldy Memorial, and worked as a postman in Aberfeldy. He left the army in March 1914, and was back in at start of the war and killed 20/9/1914
Get delving. would be very interested in the textr, and if possible, a better image. I have no photo of James Reid. Again, well done, and thanks for posting. Here are the family in 1901

Cheers mike

FortyTwa · Joined: 12 May 2009 Posts: 128 Location: United Kingdom

According to the text, there were definitely SEVEN Reid brothers in uniform - George, Stewart, James, David, Edwin, Willie and Jock. Looking at the census record posted above by Mike, youngest son Alexander would have been too young to serve, being 13 at the outbreak of WW1.

In response to my visit today (and an email from someone called Mike Very Happy

) the nice lady at the museum is having the text transcribed and emailed.

She was somewhat taken aback at the sudden flurry of interest in the Reid brothers...

mikky · Joined: 07 Jan 2009 Posts: 171

Mike the phantom emailer. a very kind lady sent me this;

Kirriemuir has nobly answered the call of King and Country, and amongst its inhabitants none have been more patriotic and self sacrificial that the family of Reid’s who have paralleled a record in the district. Mr and Mrs Reid a quiet and homely couple who live at 3 Tillyloss. Mr Reid followed the occupation of gardener, and they have seen six of their sons, tall stalwart fellows – they are too – go forth to the British Service.

The eldest of the sextette, George, is a reservist in the Black Watch. He has for three to four years been a postman in Blair Atholl, and when war broke out he rejoined the colours. The last that was heard of him was that he was off to the front. Next in age comes Stewart, who has been for twelve years in India in the second Battalion of the Black Watch. “Some say,” remarked his mother, “that he has gone to the war.”

James comes next in the roll of war. He left the Highland Light Infantry as a reservist in March, but his freedom short lived, for four months he served as a postman at Aberfeldy and has been called up again.

Next comes David, the fourth son and has probably by this time seen some hard fighting. He has been in South Africa for five years, where he is serving in the Royal Garrison Artillery. Not to be outdone by the elder brothers, Edwin, the fifth son enlisted last week in the Scots Guards and was immediately dispatched to Aldershot, as his mother read when she received a letter from him that day. Edwin was formally employed on the tramways between Falkirk and Larberry.

Last but not least comes the youngest of them all, Willie. The lad is only eighteen years of age and has proceeded in active service with the Highlanders.

(Pictured between his parents, Jock, the eldest who has been in the Anzacs, Australia for many years.)

Cheers Mike, Once again FortyTwa, thanks for finding and sharing this, absolutely fantastic.

stuartn · Joined: 13 Dec 2016 Posts: 2551

WMR 85759