Obituary

Manawatu Times, Volume 60, Issue 55, 7 March 1935, Page 8

Obituary

HORACE JOHN REID There passed away on Sunday afternoon, after a brief illness, one of Foxton’s most popular citizens in the person of Mr Horace John Reid. News of his demise cast quite a gloom over ■the town, Mr Reid being very well and favourably known as custodian and manager of the Municipal' hall and pictures, as well as superintendent of the Foxton A- T olunteer Fire Brigade. Deceased, who was born in AVellington, was the only son of Mr and Mrs J. H. Reid, of that city. After completing his education at the Daunevirke and Napier schools, he was associated with his father in tho motionpicture business in Australia and also in the Dominion. In 1916 he joined up with tho Expeditionary Force in the AVcllington-AVest Coast Battalion, 12th Reinforcements, and participated in all the major engagements overseas, from tho Somme in '1916, until the signing of the Armistice. He was slightly wounded on one occasion, but continued in active service and was at Cologne at tho finish with the army of occupation. Deceased, who was a staff-sergeant, was promoted to mach-ine-gun instructor, and just before the cessation of Hostilities was recommended for a commission.

After returning to the Dominion, the late Mr Bcid was manager of a picture business in Taihapc, but later joined his father in the same business in Foxton. When the Borough Council took over the Town Hall pictures, Mr Bcid was appointed manager, which position he retained until the time of his death. Deceased was well known as an athlete and long-distance runner, and when on active service won the three-mile cross-country run against 125 competitors, while his record for the mile at the Danncvirkc High School still stands. In addition to his position as superintendent of the volunteer fire brigade, the late Mr Reid was a member of the committee of the local District High School and sitting Master of the local Masonic Lodge. He was local linesman for the Horowhenua Electric Power Board, and in what spare time he possessed was a keen supporter and player of local football and cricket. As a returned soldier he took a keen interest in the welfare of the ex-Diggers, and at one time was president of the local Returned Soldiers' Association.

Tho deceased, who married in Foxton, leaves a wife and six young children to mourn their great loss. The funeral, which took place yesterday afternoon, was a very large and impressive one, the casket, draped in the Union Jack, being conveyed to the cemetery on the tire brigade motor, members of The local brigade in uniform acting as pall-bearers. A guard of honour was formed by the local returned soldiers, while - the service at the house and graveside were conducted by Bov. Mr Fotheringham. Additional services at the graveside were conducted by members of the Masonic fraternity and also by members of the tire brigade, while Sergeant B'. Walls sounded the “Last Post.” The many and beautiful floral tributes which adorned the casket bore silent testimony to the very high esteem in which deceased was held.