(Note: Though a poppy does not appear on the street sign, this street is part of the City of London's "Streets of Honour" program and was named for Private Reid.)
Reid Court is named in memory of Private Douglas Robert William Reid.
Douglas Robert William Reid was born in London ON. Residing with is wife on Maitland Street, he enlisted and in March 1943 was assigned to the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. After completing his training and once overseas, he was attached to the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment.
At the start of the Second World War, the Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment was raised for homeland security duties. However, the Regiment agreed to share its name with the 1st Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment (1st LAAR), Royal Canadian Artillery, when the latter unit was re-rolled as an infantry battalion in 1944. In August-September 1944, the Canadian Corps was engaged in the breaking of the Gothic Line and the advance to Rimini. The 1st LAAR/Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment (the official name changed occured in Oct 1944), in their new infantry role, was assigned to the 12th Brigade, 5th Armoured Division and immediately took part in operations.
On 3 Sept 1944, the 1st LAAR/Lanark and Renfrew Scottish Regiment advanced towards Mount Gallera as part of the push towards the Besanigo River. It is during this action that Private Douglas Robert William Reid was hit by shrapnel and killed. He is buried at the Gradara War Cemetery.
