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Auction: 21102 - Orders, Decorations and Medals e-Auction 3
Lot: 307

Three: Major A. Reid, Northampton Regiment, late York and Lancaster Regiment, Royal Munster Fusiliers and Durham Light Infantry Militia

1914-15 Star (Major A Reid North'n. R); British War and Victory Medals (Major A. Reid.); contact marks, pitting, very fine (3)

Alfred Reid was born in 1855, having served with the Durham Light Infantry Militia from 1874-1897 he retired with the rank of Honorary Lieutenant-Colonel. Three years later he re-joined as a Captain in the Reserve Royal Munster Fusiliers, serving from 1900-1902. With the outbreak of war Reid again returned to the ranks being commissioned Major on 28 September 1914 with the 10th (Service) Battalion, York and Lancaster Regiment. This regiment entered the war in France in September 1915 - however he did not go with them, almost certainly due to his advanced years. Instead transferring to 1st (Garrison) Battalion, Northamptonshire Regiment on 18 October and served with them in Egypt.

This uneventful posting was interrupted when Reid faced a Court Martial at Mudros West Camp on 21 January 1916 with the charge of Drunkenness. The charge levelled was that between 6PM and 6AM on 27 December 1915 at Kastro he was drunk. Reid lodged an appeal stating:

'On the evening of the 28th December 1915. I dined alone at the Hotel de France at Kastos. I drank a bottle of the Greek white wine which I thought was light but have since been told, it is quite powerful. After dinner I had one or two of the Greek liquors as I wished to taste them before returning to my usual abstinence the next day. I then walked up to the castle and met one or two of my brother officers on the hill. I am almost a total abstainer and had not touched alcohol for over two months. The wine may have affected my head, but I knew perfectly well what I was doing. I was up at 6:30 on the following morning as usual attending to my duty.'

Sentenced to be severely reprimanded, it later became clear that Reid was in bad health. He was taken ill on 20 March 1916, suffering from a severe headache and fever, being sent to Hospital at Suez on 22 March and transferred to the Red Cross Hospital at Giza on 29 March. He quickly improved - however an examination proved that he was suffering from hypermetropia and it was recommended he be sent back to Britain. Transferred to 3rd (Reserve) Battalion, Royal Sussex Regiment on 22 November 1917 Reid found himself posted to Newhaven on Garrison duty for the remainder of the war. He relinquished his commission on 1 September 1921 having completed his service; sold together with copied research including M.I.C., medical records and court martial documents as well as a Ministry of Defence letter relating to Major Reid and handwritten notes.

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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£100