Name
Geoffrey Percy Neville Reid
7th March 1888
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
13/05/1915
27
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
Essex Yeomanry
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
YPRES (MENIN GATE) MEMORIAL
Panel 5.
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
Hatfield Town Memorial, Hatfield In Memoriam Book
Pre War
Geoffrey was the son of Percy Charles and Rose J. Reid, of Feering, Kelvedon, Essex. and born 7th March 1888.
In the 1891 Census Geoffrey was 3 and living in Freeing, Essex, where he was born, living on his Grandfather’s farm. Also there were his grandfather, grandmother, father, mother, siblings and seven servants. His Grandfather was a farmer and his father, Percy (born in Codicote Herts.) a brewer. By 1901 Geoffrey was at preparatory school at St. Peter’s on the Isle of Thanet, Kent. Then in 1911 he was back at home with his family in Feeing, Essex. Father, Percy is a farmer/brewer. Geoffrey is working as a brewer.
The Pryor Reid Brewery –Hatfield was owned by the Reid family, Geoffrey was probably working at the Brewery when war was declared.
Wartime Service
Geoffrey became a Lieutenant in the Household Cavalry and Cavalry of the Line (incl. Yeomanry and Imperial Camel Corps), Essex Yeomanry.
In the Bishop’s Hatfield Parish Magazine of September 1914, in the first list of men mobilised from Hatfield, recorded: “Reid, Geoffrey P N – Brewery – Lieut. Essex Yeomanry.”
Excerpt from History of the Hatfield Brewery by Brian Lawrence - All too soon with the outbreak of the First World War, the established way of life which had developed in this country during the Victorian age was totally disrupted and the inhabitants of Hatfield and the employees of the Brewery were all affected by these changes. Many of the staff were called to arms and among those who were destined never to return was the only son of the Chairman of the Company, Mr Percy C Reid.
There is no doubt that the closure of the brewery in 1920 came about as a direct result of this tragic event since it is recorded that at the closing dinner for all the employees, held at the One Bell, the Chairman publicly stated that he would never have thought of closing but for the death of his son. One can but speculate how differently this part of old Hatfield might have developed had the young Lieutenant Geoffrey Reid survived to fulfil his father's dream of continuing the family business. At the time of its closure the Brewery Company owned approximately a hundred public houses, in and around Hatfield and in other parts of the county, all of which were sold to Benskins of Watford.
Sad unforeseen consequences of the War.
Awarded the Victory Medal, British War Medal, & 1915 Star.
Additional Information
There is a memorial in the Church of All Saints at Freeing in Essex, a mantel top tablet with pointed top with the Royal Scots Crest, Essex Yeomanry crest and motto at bottom of tablet:
Geoffrey Percy Neville Reid Lieut. The Essex Yeomanry born, 7th March 1888, killed in action at 2nd Battle of Ypres, Belgium 13th May 1915. The dearly beloved son of Percy and Rose Reid of Freeing - Bury in this parish.
Hatfield Parish Council Souvenir Committee Ledger: Mrs P.C. Reid (Mother) of Freeing, Essex, received an “In Memoriam and Roll of Honour Album”.
Acknowledgments
Jonty Wild, Christine & Derek Martindale, Hatfield Local History Society (www.hatfieldhistory.uk)
