| Places | |
|---|---|
| Accession Number | PR04773 |
| Collection type | Private Record |
| Record type | Collection |
| Measurement | 1 wallet: 1cm |
| Object type | Letter |
| Maker |
Reid, James Moffat |
| Place made | Ottoman Empire: Turkey, Dardanelles, Gallipoli |
| Date made | 1915 |
| Access | Open |
| Conflict |
First World War, 1914-1918 |
| Copyright |
Item copyright: Copyright expired - public domain
|
| Copying Provisions | Copyright expired. Copying permitted subject to physical condition. Permission for reproduction not required. |
Reid, James Moffat (Major, b.1881 - d.1915)
Description
Letter relating to the First World War service of Major James Moffat Reid 1 Light Horse. The letter was written to his nieces Kathleen (Kath) Newell and Doreen (Bobbie) Newell on 25 July 1915. Major Reid talks about being in charge of over 200 miners digging tunnels and laying charges at Gallipoli. He describes trench conditions, hearing gramophone music from the Turkish trenches, and breaking a tooth on the hard biscuit rations.
History / Summary
Captain James Moffatt Reid had had 13 years previous military experience before he enlisted as an officer with the AIF on 27 August 1914. Several months later, he was promoted to Major on 3 October. He then embarked on HMAT Star of Victoria with 1 Light Horse Regiment from Sydney on 20 October. Reid proceeded to join the MEF on 9 May 1915 at Gallipoli. He was temporarly transferred to Miners Coy on 18 July 1915. Reid led the action from Pope's Hill, known as the Chessboard attack, conducted at 4.30am on 7 August 1915. He died during this offensive.