Flight Lieutenant William Reid, V.C.

Lodge Robert Burns No. 440.

Bro. Archie Chalmers, Provincial Grand Secretary of Ayrshire visited Lodge Robert Burns on Thursday 13th. March to complete a very interesting piece of Masonic research. Bro. Archie`s hobby is to research holders of the Victoria Cross who were Freemasons, when the research is complete he presents a plaque containing his research. Here is the transcript from his presentation at Lodge Robert Burns.

It is only after a second glance at the letters VC that many will realise that Bro. Bill Reid was no ordinary member of our Ancient and Honourable Fraternity. He was one who had received no less than the highest badge of Honour that his Country could bestow for a act of unselfish heroism, which undoubtedly saved the lives of others.

The Victoria Cross is not given lightly and indeed only 1352 have been awarded since its inception in 1856 - 158 going to Scotsmen.    

William Reid was born on 21st. December 1921 at 43 Main St. Baillieston. He was called to serve his country in 1941 in the Royal Air Force. He soon gained his Pilots Wings, his progress being so outstanding that he was invited to remain as an Instructor. He declined this invitation and after several postings he was assigned to 61 Squadron to fly Lancaster Bombers. Although the first nine trips into enemy territory were not altogether uneventful none was to compare with the next. His tenth

flight took place on 3rd. November 1943, a raid on the Mannesman Steelworks in Dusseldorf. 

His citation reads; "On his way to Ddusseldorf Flight Lieutenant Reid`s windscreen was shattered by fire from a Messerschmitt and the gun turrets and cockpit badly damaged. Saying nothing of his multiple injuries, he continued on his mission and soon afterwards was attacked again, his navigator being killed and the wireless operator fatally wounded. He was wounded again, and also the flight engineer, while

the Lancaster received more serious damage. Pressing on to his target, Flight Lieutenant Reid dropped his bombs, then set course for home and in spite of growing from loss of blood, managed to land his crippled aircraft safely".

In recognition of this act of great courage and determination he received the Victoria Cross medal. He was presented with his V.C. at Buckingham Palace in June 1944 by His Majesty King George V1.  He took part in a further 24 successful raids into enemy territory but his luck finally ran out on 31st. July 1944 when his aircraft was shot down and he was taken Prisoner of War to Poland later being moved to Berlin. At the end of the War, in November 1945, he was demobbed from service.

On leaving the Royal Air Force he graduated with a BSc in Agriculture and was employed in Agriculture until his retirement in 1980. Three events, which took place as a result of him winning the VC, had pride of place in his life. The first was to receive a Heroes Welcome from the Townspeople of Baillieston (along with a cheque for £1,000), second was the establishment of the "William Reid, VC Prize" at Coatbridge Academy and the third was to receive the Freedom of the City of London

in recognition of his heroic service during the War.

It was on his return to civil life that Bill Reid VC joined the Craft. He was Initiated into Lodge Robert Burns No. 440 on 12th. July 1945, Passed on 2nd. August 1945 and Raised on 30th. August 1945. At the time of his death on 28th. November 2001 it could truly be said, He Marked Well.

Bro. Archibald Chalmers, Provincial Grand Secretary of Ayrshire.