Lance Corporal Military Police Corps
Stephen Reid was born in the summer of 1887 in Bridgwater. His father was Stephen Reid and Eliza Culverwell of Tuckers Buildings, West Street. In 1901 his father was a Carter for the Town Council, while Stephen the younger was working as an errand boy at the docks. In 1911 he was living in Dorchester as a Police Constable.In 1913 he married Emily Maud Bowers
Reid seems to have joined the army before the war and served at the Battle of Mons. On 18 November 1914 the Bridgwater Mercury reported 'HOW THE COLDSTREAM GUARDS HAVE BEEN BATTERED Letter from wounded Bridgwater Corporal, Cpl Steve Reed (Bridgwater), 1st Battalion Coldstream Guards to his sister Mrs F Higgins of 81 West St, Bridgwater, which reported how he had taken a bullet through the fingers and the fighting in the Mons campaign. After this he transferred to the Military Police.
He died in Britain on 27 April 1918. The 8 May 1918 the Bridgwater Mercury reported 'Funeral of Mons man in Bridgwater. Death from pneumonia of Cpl Stephen Reed of West Street. Fought at Mons. Died at Netley, Funeral at Holy Trinity, Burial at Wembdon Road Cemetery with full military honours'.
