Reid, Charles
Rifleman
No. 6810, 2nd Battalion, Royal Irish Rifles
Killed in action on Sunday 9 July 1916 (aged 37)
No known grave
Commemorated:
Commonwealth War Graves Commission
Thiepval Memorial Pier and Face 15 A and 15 B
Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour (Page 549)
BIOGRAPHY
The reason for including Rifleman Charles Reid (No. 6810) on this website is that in Soldiers Died in the Great War 1914 – 1919 it is recorded that he was born in Killough, Holywood, Co Down. In Ireland’s Memorial Records it is also recorded that he was born in Killough, Co Down, but with no reference to Holywood. Charles Reid’s brother Joseph also served in the Army and in his service papers it is recorded that Joseph was born in Killough, County Antrim.
Charles Reid was born on 11 March 1879 in Killough, Co Down and he was a son of Robert and Catherine Reid (nee Magennis, sometimes Maginnes) who were married on 1 July 1875 in St Malachy’s Roman Catholic Church Belfast. Robert Reid (aged 20), a sailor from 34 West Street, Belfast, was a son of Robert Reid, a labourer. Catherine Maginnes (aged 18), a servant from 34 West Street, Belfast, was a daughter of John Maginnes, a labourer. That same day Robert Reid was baptised in St Malachy’s Church.
Robert Reid was a sailor and he and Catherine had at least four children:
Charles (born 11 March 1879 in Killough, Co Down)
William James (born 7 August 1881 at 6 Lackagh Street, Belfast)
Joseph (born 11 November 1885 in Killough, Co Down; married Mary Jane Foster on 26 September 1904 in St Anne’s Church of Ireland Cathedral, Belfast)
Eliza (born 21 March 1888 in Killough, Co Down)
Charles Reid and Margaret (Maggie) Foster were married on 27 November 1894 in Second Newtownards Presbyterian Church. Interestingly, Charles declared that he was 18 years old when he was in fact 15 years 8 months old. Maggie Foster from Newtownards was a daughter of George Foster, a tenter.
[Margaret (Maggie) Foster was born at 2.45 pm on 1 July 1872 at Hurst Street, Belfast, and she was a daughter of George and Sarah Jane Foster (sometimes Forster, nee Bates). Her twin brother George had been born at 2.30 pm that same day.]
Charles and Maggie Reid (nee Foster) had at least four children:
Eliza (born 4 March 1895 in Church Street, Newtownards; her father was described as a labourer)
Mary (born 2 February 1897 at 16 Skipton Street, Belfast; Catherine Reid was present at her birth; her father was described as a labourer)
Robert (born 20 June 1899 at 5 Edith Street, Belfast; Catherine Reid was present at his birth; his father was described as a labourer)
Charles (born 16 August 1901 at 64 Island Street, Belfast; his father was described as a soldier)
Catherine Reid from Edith Street, Belfast died as the result of acute bronchitis and cardiac failure on 8 December 1910 in Belfast Workhouse Hospital.
Charles Reid made his will on 10 November 1914 and in it he left all of his property and effects to his wife Margaret at 41 Constance Street, Belfast.
Rifleman Charles Reid (No. 6810) was killed in action on 9 July 1916. His son Charles enlisted underage on 11 January 1918 (he declared that he was 18 years 5 months) and was discharged on 1 April 1918 aged 16 years and 229 days.
Rifleman Charles Reid’s widow remarried. Maggie Reid (nee Foster) and Alexander Major were married on 12 April 1918 in Belfast Registrar’s Office. Maggie Reid (aged 45), a widow from 41 Constance Street, Belfast was a daughter of George Foster, a tenter. Alexander Major (aged 56), a widowed seaman from 31 Well Street, Belfast was a son of Alexander Major, a bread server.
Rifleman Charles Reid (No. 6810) is commemorated in the Journey of Remembering Belfast Book of Honour (Page 549).
Rifleman Charles Reid (No. 6810) was a brother in law of Sergeant Henry Foster (No. 12770) and Rifleman John Foster (No. 5623).