Source: 18th Battalion Nominal Roll, April 1915.
Family Search: When Gilbert Smithson Reid was born on 20 May 1895, in Kitchener, Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, his father, Richard Reid, was 32 and his mother, Alice Woodsend, was 35. He married Irene Gower on 16 June 1919, in London, Ontario, Canada West, British Colonial America. They were the parents of at least 1 son and 1 daughter. He registered for military service in 1914. In 1914, at the age of 19, his occupation is listed as collector. He died on 16 January 1977, at the age of 81, and was buried in Acacia Park Cemetery, North Tonawanda, Niagara, New York, United States.
Later served with the 26th Battalion as an officer.
This man enlisted with the 18th Battalion on October 26, 1914, with the reg. no. of 53960. His place of enlistment was the then named Berlin, Ontario, later to be renamed Kitchener after Lord Kitchener.
He was a collector and listed his next-of-kin as Richard Reid, of 163 Strand, London, England.
He was a member of the Berlin City Regiment as a militiaman.
He trained at London, Ontario with the rest of the 18th Battalion and was an original member of the battalion. The Battalion embarked for England aboard the SS Grampian and arrived at Avonmouth on April 29, 1915.
On August 3, 1915, he was promoted to the temporary rank of lieutenant and transferred to the 12th Reserve Battalion. It is unknown why he was not allowed to stay with the 18th Battalion but they may have had a full establishment of officers so he was transferred to another battalion that needed officers.
He was taken on strength with the 26th Battalion on December 2, 1915. The 26th Battalion was an active duty battalion from New Brunswick and was part of the 5th Canadian Infantry Brigade, 2nd Division.
He was listed as seriously ill on May 15, 1916, and was sent to England for treatment aboard the HS. Panama.
He recovered and was granted a leave to Canada from June 14 to August 28, 1916. This leave was exteneded until October 1, 1916 and he returned to active duty with the 26th Battalion on October 16, 1916.
While serving with the battalion he earned a Military Cross per the London Gazette dated March 12, 1917, no. 29981. The citation reads:
“For conspicious gallantry and devotion to duty. He led a successful daylight raid and personally shot one of the enemy. He set a splendid example of courage and determination thoughtout the operation.”
HE was wounded May 12, 1917, and was sent to England for treatment.
The nature of his wounds were such that he was struck off strength and returned to Canada for further medical treatment on September 21, 1917.
History of the 18th Battalion CEF, "The Fighting Eighteenth" 