Thomas Reed

General Sir Thomas Reed (1796 – 24 July 1883) was a British Army officer and the 20th General Officer Commanding, Ceylon.

Early life He was born in Dublin, the son of Thomas Reed of Dublin, by Eliza, daughter of Colonel Sir F. J. Buchanan.

Reed entered the army as a cornet in the 12th Light Dragoons in 1813, was promoted lieutenant in 1815, and was with the regiment at the Battle of Waterloo. In 1834 he was made lieutenant-colonel of the 62nd Foot, a position he held for eighteen years. He was made brevet-colonel in 1841 and the following year aide-de-camp to the queen. Two years afterwards he was made a CB. He took over on 10 June, from Henry William Barnard, command of preparations for the relief of Delhi, by siege or assault. He fell ill, however, and passed operations back to Barnard. He rejected the advice of Richard Baird Smith that an immediate assault should be made, a view supported by the civil officer Hervey Greathed.

On the death of Barnard on 5 July, also from cholera, Reed assumed command of the field force. Finding the demands of that position too much for him, he gave up the responsibility on 17 July, handing over to Archdale Wilson. He saw no further service in the field.

Later life In 1858, Reed was made colonel of the 44th (East Essex) Regiment of Foot, transferring in 1881 to be Colonel of the 1st Battalion, Essex Regiment, which was formed when the 44th Regiment was amalgamated in that year with the 56th Foot. He was promoted Lieutenant-General in 1860 and General in 1868.

In 1877 Reed was placed on the retired list, having had been made K.C.B. in 1865 and G.C.B. in 1875. He died at Romsey, Hampshire on 24 July 1883.

Family In 1835 Reed married Elizabeth Jane, daughter of John Clayton of Enfield Old Park, Middlesex.