Family :

Service Life:

Campaigns:

• North West Frontier 1895-1947, Northern India.
• The Second Anglo-Boer War 1899-1902, South Africa.
• The First World War 1914-1918, World-wide.

22 April - 25 May 1915. On the 22nd April 1915 the Germans used poison gas at Ypres. This was the first 'official' use of gas and took the Allies by surprise. After initial success capitalising on the confusion and horror of this weapon, a heroic stand, initially by the Canadians and then supported by British and Indian Battalions, held the German advance. However it became clear that the Germans had achieved a tactical advantage and eventually the British were forced to retire to more a more defendable perimeter closer to Ypres. These positions were on the last ridges before Ypres and their loss would have resulted in the loss of the town and possibly open the Channel coast to German occupation with disastrous consequences for the re-supply of the BEF.

Detail :

The Imperial War Museum holds his portrait image and a newspaper article which reflects his career:: "...eldest son of the late John Reed, of Cogan, Penarth, was born at Denis Powis, Penarth, on the 4th February, 1875. He joined the ranks of the Devonshire Regiment in October, 1894, and took part in the Tirah Campaign in 1897 and 1898, receiving the medal with the clasps for "Punjab Frontier," 1897-8 and "Tirah." He was on active serivce in the South African War, 1899-1902, recieving the Queen's medal with calsps for "Elaadslaage," "Defence of Ladysmith," and "Belfast, " and the King's medal with clasps for "1901" and "1902." For two years previous to the outbreak of war he had been stationed at Exeter as the Regimental Quarter-master Sergeant, and in March 1915, he was gazetted 2nd Lieutenant in the Devonshire Regiment. For active service he was attached to the 4th Battalion Middlesex Regiment, and he was killed in action on the 24th May, 1915, at Oosthoek, and was buried there.

A General Officer wrote of him: "It seems so sad that, after he had by his own exertions and excellent service won his way to a commission, a career of such exceptional promise should have been cut short, and I can only say for myself that I shall miss him as much as I know he will be missed in the his Regiment. He died at the call of duty in a just and noble cause for King and country, whilst gallantly leading his men." Another officer wrote: "Your husband was killed this morning in the trenches about 2 a.m. I, of course, had known him for many years and was so glad when he joined this Battalion. He had been doing very well indeed, and I am sure had he lived would have got on quickly. It is a great loss to me, and in fact to all of us."

2nd Lieut Reed married Lucy, daughter, of Edward Richards, and left two children-Cyril, born in February, 1904, and Dorothy born in July, 1905."



Probate REED Robert of 17 Elton-road Exeter died 24 May 1915 in Belgium Administration Exeter 28 April to Lucy Reed widow. Effects £400.

Masonic :

Reported to have joined Duke of Normandy Lodge from Rylstone Prince of Wales' Lodge No. 2026, 15th August, 1912. That lodge was transferred to the Grand Lodge of New South Wales in 1888, which would mean that that Robert joined from another constitution and would have been "posted" to Australia, which is more than likely not the case. No explicit war service recorded, but is shown "Killed in action 24.5.15."

Source :

The project globally acknowledges the following as sources of information for research across the whole database:

• The Commonwealth War Graves Commission
• The (UK) National Archives
• Ancestry.co.uk - Genealogy, Family Trees & Family History online
• ugle.org.uk - The records of the United Grand Lodge of England including the Library and Museum of Freemasonry

Additional Source:

• Founder Researchers : Paul Masters & Mike McCarthy
• Researcher : Bruce Littley