Maurice Reid was born in Whitegate, Cork on 7 October, 1867. He enlisted in the Royal Navy as a 16-year old Boy Seaman and served in dozens of ships before retiring after 25 years service in October 1910. Immediately afterwards he joined the Royal Fleet Reserve and, as a consequence, was recalled in August 1914. He joined the battleship H.M.S. ILLUSTRIOUS. but, three weeks later, succumbed to a haemorrhage and died on board. He left behind a widow in Ireland.

Mark Reid