REID, John Clyde, Sergeant

REID, John Clyde, Sergeant (P.28107) - Military Medal - Canada Gazette dated 18 March 1944

"At San Marco (Italy) at about 1700 hours on 6 October 1943, Sergeant Reid, whilst acting as commander of the dismounted carrier platoon of The Royal Canadian Regiment, lead his sections into a favourable position on a ridge under direct fire from several German machine guns about 600 yards away. These enemy machine guns were holding up the advance of "A" and "C" Companies. Fearlessly and with cool judgement, Sergeant Reid skilfully controlled the fire of his six light machine guns, destroying two enemy machine guns and silencing the others, thus making possible the further advance of "A" and "C" Companies. Sergeant Reid moved, under fire, from section to section giving fire control orders, arranging replenishment of ammunition and encouraging his men. Sergeant Reid demonstrated initiative and leadership in keeping with the highest traditions of an infantry soldier."


The Royal Canadian Regiment - 20 Questions
Sergeants and Warrant Officers

The Regimental Adjutant is looking for Royal Canadians who can provide answers to these "20 Questions - Sergeants and Warrant Officers" from a different decade or a different unit perspective than those presented above. If you would like to participate in the "20 Questions" program, please submit your responses to the questions below to the Regimental Adjutant (link to contact page).

20 Questions - Sergeants and Warrant Officers

Please provide: Name, rank achieved, years of service with The RCR (from - to)

1.     What year were you recruited? What year were you promoted to the rank of Sergeant?

2.     Which Battalions of the Regiment and in which Companies have you served?

3.     What units have you served in outside the four Battalions of the Regiment?

4.     How many years did you spend at each rank level before you were promoted to Sergeant?

5.     What leadership training did you have to take before your promotion to Sergeant? When and where did you take this training and how long was the course?

6.     Were there any particular events that inspired you during your advancement to the Sergeants' and Warrant Officers' Mess?

7.     What do you feel was the most valuable lesson you received as a developing leader?

8.     What was your first appointment on promotion to the rank of Sergeant?

9.     When you commanded a rifle section, what vehicles, weapons and equipment did your section have?

10.     What was your most challenging appointment as a Sergeant or Warrant Officer?

11.     What did you find most rewarding about your responsibilities as a Sergeant or Warrant Officer?

12.     What training experiences have you found most rewarding for yourself and your soldiers?

13.     What training experiences did you find that best promoted your professional development as an NCO?

14.     What operational missions have you served on as a Sergeant or Warrant Officer?

15.     What was the most useful skill you learned that was taught as essential for a Sergeant or Warrant Officer to know?

16.     What was the least useful skill you learned that you were told would be essential for a Sergeant or Warrant Officer to know?

17.     What type of training do you think would have been more useful to receive, or to receive more of, before being promoted to Sergeant and assuming the leadership responsibilities of that rank?

18.     What job or task have you had that you think every new Senior NCO should experience?

19.     If you could give advice to a young soldier starting his or her military career in the Infantry, what would you offer?

20.     If you could give advice to a young NCO about to be promoted into the Sergeant's and Warrant Officers' mess, what would you offer?

And, for extra credit:
21.     Accepting that "no names, no pack drill" is a time honoured practice ..... what was the most outrageous act you remember a peer having to present himself to the RSM to explain?


Can you provide a photograph of yourself from that period of your career?

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