207791 Robert Reid British Army 2nd Btn. Lancashire Fusiliers from:Wigan (d.13th Sep 1914) Robert Reid is reported to be the first Wigan soldier to be killed in WW1. It is clear from his low army number 9994, that he was an early volunteer.
He is recorded on the La Ferte-Sous-Jouarre Memorial for those with unmarked graves and his mother, Rachael Reid, was the first to lay a wreath at Wigan War Memorial at the time it was unvailed. It is a sad fact that he married only 9 months before he was killed.
He was stationed in Malta when he wrote these letters to his sister.
Dear Sister,
I write to answer your kind and welcome letter.I am sorry I cannot send you any presents this Yuletide as we are in a camp in a place called "Pembroke" close to Slima a place about 7 miles from Valletta. It is still very hot in the day and freezing cold at night. I suppose that you will be having a happy time during the insueing week. I sincerely wish I was at Home for it, but circumstances alter cases. But I hope you do enjoy yourself as I cannot here. Please give Dick my best regards. I was very sorry to learn that Tommy's leg was so bad, I thought he would have been better by now, it seems fate is against him, tell him to "keep his heart up", and he"ll pull through al right. I wish to know how Mother and all the family are going on; Ernest, our Agnes, Little Thomas and the Baby. I havn't any news this time so I will now close.
With a Brotherly Love to you and all. "Bons Woir" and Allah Blesses.
PS. Please write back by return of post as I am Postman at Present
Dear Sister, I am in Good Health hoping you are same (no news 4th Division) at present with love. Bob. This letter is dated 16 August 1914. He was killed 4 weeks later in France.
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