Date of birth:

November 13th, 1910 (Ranchi, India)

Date of death:

May 22nd, 1990 (Bristol, United Kingdom)

Service number:

58974

Nationality:

British

Following his escape, Reid remained in Switserland for the duration of the war, working for the Secret Intelligence Service for which he interiewed escapers.
He published a number of books but was best known for the The Colditz Story which was produced into a tv series in which his character was played by actor John Mills.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Royal Army Service Corps

Awarded on:

May 4th, 1943

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Temporary Captain

Unit:

Royal Army Service Corps

Awarded on:

December 20th, 1945

Citation:
"Capt. REID was captured on 27 May 40 at SAILLY-SUR-LYS. On 15 Oct 42 he escaped from COLDITZ (OFLAG IVC, Germany) with three other officers. They finally reached Switserland, where they were interned, and for this achievement Capt. REID received the Military Cross.

Prior to his escape Capt. REID had been in charge of the Escape Committee at OFLAG IVC for 18 months. During this time his efforts to assist others to escape were outstanding; his work included intensive propaganda to demoralise the German guards. In addition Capt. REID communicated secretly with the War Office."

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/36000/supplement/1997
  - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/37396/supplement/6187