The Soldier's Details

Surname:
Reid
First Name:
Sydney
Rank:
Private
Regimental #:
WX9295
Classification:
Batman/Runner
Company:
‘D’ Company, 15 Platoon
Enlisted:
30.10.1940
DOB:
18.12.1908
Place of Birth:
Cumberland, England
Father's Name:
Joseph Reid
Mothers's Name:
Christine Reid (nee Anderson)
Religion:
Church of England
Pre-war Occupation:
Farmhand
Memorial:
Kranji War Cemetery, Joint Grave, Plot 17, Row D, Grave 1-2, Age 33.
Cause of Death:
Wounded and missing in action
Place of Death:
Tanjong Murai, west coast of Singapore
Date of Death:
9.02.1942

General Description

Syd Reid enlisted AIF 30 Oct 1940 later joining 2/4th MGB’s ‘D’ Company 15 Platoon as Batman/runner under Commanding Officer Lt Meiklejohn, and devoted to his CO.   Syd was 5′ 4″ tall. Please read further
He was wounded during fighting 9th Feb 1942 when the Australians were overrun on the west coast of Singapore by the larger number of Japanese.   Reid was not seen after Meiklejohn tried to bring Lally out at  Tanjong Murai area.    Reid was later reported missing and presumed dead.  He was 33 years of age.

 

Syd was working as farmhand at Kulin when he enlisted.

 

 

 

Syd was born Cumberland, England 1908.
It appears Joseph and Christine Reid sailed from England when Sydney was about 4 years of age.  It is not known when they arrived.  They resided in Moran Street, Boulder where Joseph was employed in mining.  Sydney had one brother Frank who was also employed in the mining industry.
In Oct 1942, Joseph Reid was in a  workplace accident, taken to Kalgoorlie Hospital where he died.  He was 66 years old.  The Reid family were not informed of Sydney’s death until after the war, when many of those KIA at Singapore were not able to be confirmed.

 

 

 

 

Syd’s mother Christina, died 1957 at Boulder.  Both Joseph and Christina are buried Boulder Cemetery.
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