Peter Reid - Link to Denny

Menin Gate Memorial. Authors image

407016 Private, 1st Battalion (Ontario Regiment), 1st Canadian Infantry Brigade, 1st Canadian Division.

Age: 38

Date of death: 13.6.16

Buried: Menin Gate Memorial Panel 10

Family history: Son of John Reid, 61 Duke Street, Denny. He was married to Mary Meston Reid, 128 Gibson Avenue, Hamilton, Ontario. He gave his trade as Moulder when he enlisted on 25 May 1915 in Hamilton, Ontario. He sailed to England on 19 June 1915 and on arrival went to the Base Camp at Shorncliffe on 28 June 1915. From there he sailed for France on 17 March 1916.

Action leading to his death

On the 13 June 1916, the Battalion was to take part in the attack on Mount Sorrel and to regain the trenches lost to the Germans  on 2 June. The 1st Battalion was detailed to support the 3rd Battalion who were to lead the attack with the 1st Battalion Grenade Platoon to follow in close support and to block and hold the German communication trench were it entered the front line. ‘B’ Company of 1st Battalion were to consolidate the new trench from the left of X Trench to Rudkin House. Owing to the deep mud and congested state of the communication trench, Fosseway communication trench was used by some of the troops going to the left attack. ‘C’ Company was compelled to advance across the open via Valley Cottages, and the depression running from there to Square Wood, and the other companies were delayed. By 10.50pm ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies were in position and both ‘B’ and ‘D’ Companies by 1am this was with the exception of two platoons of ‘B’ Company that had been left in Fosseway during the preliminary bombardment owing to the assembly trenches being overcrowded. ‘A’ and ‘C’ Companies found that their assembly trenches were full of water and dug themselves in. ‘D’ Company found that other troops had encroached on their section of the assembly trench and they too dug themselves in further to the right and in front of ‘B’ Company. From 12.45am to 1.30am the German front line trenches were bombarded before the artillery fire lifted and moved onto the German support lines and the attack went in. The artillery continued to fire on the German lines with the German artillery responding causing a few casualties. As daylight grew stronger enemy snipers became active and also caused a number of casualties. The attack was a success and the trenches lost on Mount Sorrel were regained and by 4am the work of consolidation had begun.

Trench map showing the location of the action on Observatory Ridge