REID, Hugo Boswell (1871-1956)Hugo Reid, born on 20 January 1871, was the son of Dr David Boswell Reid and Mary Jane, nee Synnot.
Enrolled at Geelong College by Dr Reid of Geelong on 6 October 1885, he is recorded as a member of the 1st Football XX for three years 1888-90.
The College Archive holds a book with bookplate awarded to H B reid as 1st Prize for Algebra in the University Class, 1889.
During World War I, he enlisted (No. 3235) on 9 July 1915, and embarked on
HMAT A7 Medic on 16 December 1916 for France to serve with 58 Battalion.
In February 1917, the
Geelong Advertiser published a letter from him with his comments about life on the Front:
'Am still above ground. We are now away from the firing line for a few days' spell. Will be mighty glad when they pull us out for a good spell. Beginning to give Leave in England: suppose my turn will come some day. Getting plenty of rain, and it is getting mighty cold. Glad to hear that Allan Noble is better again. These new armoured cars the Pommes have seem to be doing great work. The English Tommies are great soldiers, and as cool as you can make them; on the front they keep Fritz on the jump. I see they are talking about building a new hospital: not before it is wanted, but where do they expect to get the money from when they can hardly keep the old one going? I hope I. Hodges had good news of his son. Have not struck any men I know lately. Neil Freeman has been made a captain. Kind regards to all friends.' 
Award Bookplate won by Hugo B Reid
for Algebra in 1889.
He was wounded in France. Afterwards
Pegasus of May 1917 reported,
'Bos' Reid is now in charge of a Post Office in the rear of the fighting lines.' H B Reid returned to Australia, embarking On 8 April 1918.
Pegasus published an obituary in June 1957:
' Hugo Boswell Reid was a boarder at the College in the years 1885-90. Always prominent in sport, he excelled at football, and played with four first eighteens (sic), including the famous champion team of 1889, described as 'the finest team the College ever produced'. On leaving school he went into business in Geelong. He served for three years with the first AIF. In later life he carried on farming at Highton until indifferent health compelled his retirement. He died at Geelong on December 6, 1956.' The AWM Collection holds a portrait of H B Reid, taken at Broadmeadows on about 23 November 1915.
The photograph of H B Reid is one of a series of photographs taken by the Darge Photographic Company which had the concession to take photographs at the Broadmeadows and Seymour army camps during the First World War. In the 1930's, the AWM purchased the original glass negatives from Algernon Darge, along with the photographers' notebooks. The notebooks contain brief details, usually a surname or unit name, for each negative. The names are transcribed as they appear in the notebooks.
Sources: Geelong Advertiser 3 February 1917 p4; Pegasus June 1957 p51; 'Geelong Collegians at the Great War' compiled by J. Affleck. p288 (citing The Pegasus; National Archives; AWM DA 12171).