Career
Reid joined the Royal Canadian Navy in 1912 and saw action in various ships during the First World War. He became Commanding Officer of the destroyer HMCS Skeena in 1936, of the destroyer HMCS Fraser in 1937 and of the shore establishment HMCS Naden in 1938. He went on to be Commanding Officer of HMC Dockyard Halifax in 1938 and Commanding Officer Atlantic Coast in 1939. in 1943.
Following the sudden death of his predecessor, he became Chief of the Naval Staff in 1946 before retiring in 1947.