Henry Thomas Reed

Story:
Henry Thomas Reed (known as Thomas in the family) was born in Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 8th September 1889, the son of Henry Reed and Anna Maria Reed (née Scammell).  He was baptised at Tollard Royal (date unknown) but received into the church at Donhead St. Mary, Wiltshire, on 25 July 1892 at the same time his sister was baptised.  He lived his early life at Birdbush, Ludwell, Donhead St. Mary.   He had joined the Dorsetshire Regiment at some time before the war and was a reservist (Service No. 8495).   He re-enlisted as a regular Private on 12th August 1908 and joined the 2nd Battalion of the Dorsetshire Regiment and served in India and Iran having completed a military telegraphist course. He had been wounded during his service but had fully recovered.  He was discharged to the reserves on 1st April 1919 but seconded to the Consular Authorities in Iran as a telegraphist (Service No. 5718124).  He had been awarded the Meritorious Service Medal per an announcement in the London Gazette on 22nd September 1919.  He also qualified for the Victory and British War medals as well as the 1914/1915 Star.  Whilst in Iran he married Marta E. Zalming in 1920 at the British Consulate in Rasht, Gilon Province, Iran.  It is not known if there were any children of the marriage. On his return to the UK he initially lived in Ludwell, Wiltshire.  By the 1939 Register he was living at 'Engell', New Park Road, Benfleet, Essex, and was described as a Retired Postman.  He died in 1950 in the Thurrock, Essex, Registration District.