Ellis Ramsay Reid was born in London on Wednesday 23rd January 1850. He was the fifth of eleven children. He joined the army in 1869 and served in the Essex Regiment (44th Foot). He rose through the ranks and was a Captain when his active service ended in 1878. He lived in Portsmouth for a time working in the  Army pay department, before moving to Colchester. He lived at 'Blenheim',the house on Mersea Road between Gosfield Road and Blenheim Drive. He was awarded the Companion of the order of the Bath in  the1907 King's Birthday Honours list. He also received the Distinguished Service Order. He died aged 68 on Monday 14th October 1918. He was buried with full military honours at St. Michael's church on Friday 18th.