David REID, D.C.M.,

Corporal 292693

6th Battalion

The Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)

Cap Badge of the Royal Highlanders (Black Watch)

DAVID REID, Corporal 292693, 6th Bn, The Royal Highlanders (Black Watch).
He formerly served with the 7th Bn and was numbered 6538.

His parents were James Reid, a Weaver, and Elizabeth Foster who were married at Greenside Lane, Lanark, on 7th July, 1865.
His paternal grandparents were John Reid, a Weaver, and Isabella Condon.
His maternal grandparents were William Foster, a Gardener, and Janet Ralston.

DAVID REID was born at Kirkfieldbank, on 12th November, 1883.
He was the 9th of a family of 9 children.

The 1891 KIRKFIELDBANK Census was taken on 5th April, 1891.
The family are listed at Main Street, Kirkfieldbank, as follows:
James Reid, age 46, Head, a Kintler, b Kirkfieldbank.
Elizabeth Reid, age 49, Wife, b Lanark.
Agnes Reid, age 17, Daughter, Dressmaker, b Linnville.
Elizabeth F. Reid, age 14, Daughter, Finisher, b Kirkfieldbank.
Jessie Reid, age 11, Daughter, Scholar, b Kirkfieldbank.
James Reid, age 9, Son, Scholar, b Kirkfieldbank.
DAVID REID, age 7, Son, Scholar, b Kirkfieldbank.

The 1901 INNERLEITHEN Census was taken on 31st March, 1901.
The family are listed at 1 Traquair View, Innerleithen, Peebles, as follows:
James Reid, age 56, Head, a Hawker, b Lesmahagow.
Elizabeth Reid, age 58, Wife, b Lanark.
Agnes Reid, age 27, Daughter, Dressmaker, b Lesmahagow.
Jessie Reid, age 21, Daughter, Dressmaker, b Lesmahagow.

In the 1901 LARKHALL Census DAVID REID, age 17, a Blacksmith's Hammerman, b Kirkfieldbank, is listed as a 'Boarder' at Wellgate Street, LARKHALL, residing with William Lambie and family.

On 23rd August, 1901, his father James Reid, age 56, died at Peebles Road, Innerleithern, Peebles. The cause of death was Cerebral Apoplexy and Haemorrhage.

The 1911 LARKHALL Census was taken on 2nd April, 1911.
The family are listed at 63 Raploch Road, Larkhall, as follows:
DAVID REID, age 27, Head, Engineer, b Lesmahagow.
Elizabeth Reid, age 70, Mother, Widow, b Lanark.
Jessie Reid, age 31, Sister, b Lesmahagow.

DAVID REID enlisted on 3rd April, 1916, with the 7th Bn Royal Highlanders (Black Watch). At some time later he was transferred to the 6th Battalion; and at some time he was appointed Corporal.

The Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC) for DAVID REID shows that he was awarded The Victory Medal and The British War Medal. The MIC shows that he was discharged on 31st January, 1919.

A 2nd MIC shows the award of the DCM as recorded in the London Gazette, dated 30th October, 1918.

The Medal Roll for those entitled to the "WAR BADGE", dated 10th February, 1919, shows that Corporal 292693 DAVID REID, 7th Bn Royal Highlanders was awarded The Silver War Badge No B113,344. This indicates that he was wounded but gives no description.

The London Gazette No 30983 of 29 October, 1918, page No 12835, shows (attached):
292693 Cpl. D. Reid, R. Highrs. (Larkhall).
"For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty. He outflanked two enemy machine-guns which were holding up the advance. He killed the teams and captured the machine-guns. He showed magnificent courage and determination, and rendered most valuable service".

The above posting is repeated in:
The Edinburgh Gazette No 13345 of 1 November, 1918, page No 4027, (attached).

A clipping taken from The Daily Record, dated 2nd November, 1918, reads:
"THE D.C.M. FOR VALOUR
How the Scots Rushed German Machine-Guns.
<snip>
Corpl. H. (sic) Reid, Black Watch (Larkhall).
He outflanked two enemy machine-guns which were holding up the advance. He killed the teams and captured the machine-guns."

In The Scotsman newspaper, dated 19th July, 1919, page 1, the attached newspaper clipping names 'Corpl Wm Hill; Sergt Robert Lee; Corpl David Robertson Reid; and Corpl Adam Weir' who were recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal (D.C.M.).
It reads:
"The Executive Committee of the Larkhall War Committee met in the Drill Hall, Larkhall, last night to honour recipients of the Distinguished Conduct Medal. County Councillor Lambie, J.P., presided, and presented gold watches and alberts with sums of money to Corpl. Wm. Hill, 5/6th Scottish Rifles, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty and in bringing down an enemy aeroplane; Sergt. Robert Lee, 12th R.S.F., for capturing two machine guns and 17 prisoners on 2nd November last; Corpl. David Robertson Reid, 1/6th Royal Highlanders, for conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in outflanking two enemy machine guns which were holding up the advance; and Corpl. Adam Weir, 9th S.R., who held up the enemy on our retirement in March, 1918, and inflicted many casualtes on them with his machine gun. All the recipients received the present in person except Corpl. Hill, who was killed on 24th October, 1918. His father received the gifts instead".

Lest We Forget!

DCM Citation

Medal Rolls Index Card (MIC)

DCM Medal Roll

Silver War Badge Roll showing the award of SWB No B113,344 to David Reid.

Newspaper clipping taken from The Daily Record, page 3, 2nd November, 1918.

Newspaper clipping taken from The Scotsman, page 1, 19th July, 1919.