Administrative/Biographical History

David McNeil (Neil) Reid (1913-1992) grew up in the Ruislip/Northwood area of Middlesex and attended Harrow County School. During World War II he worked as meteorologist at the Ministry of Defence. Neil came from a left-wing family, with his parents being members of the Fabian Movement and later the Labour Party. Beatrix Reid, his mother, was very active in local politics and was the Chairman of Ruislip and Eastcote Council in the late 1940’s and 1950’s. She was on numerous committees and on the Middlesex County Council.

Neil joined the British Communist Party in the early-mid 1930’s and remained active and committed throughout his life. All his free time was spent doing Communist Party work. He also wrote many publications for the Communist Party as well as for numerous pamphlets which were distributed streets of London. Neil was also the editor of State Service, the magazine of the Society of Professional Civil Servants. By profession Neil was a Civil Servant who worked at the Land Registry.

With his first wife, Elsie Christian, Neil had two daughters, Val and Moya. His second wife, Rosemary Reid (née Small) was a journalist who became a female editor of the Daily Worker.

Scope and Content

Papers of David McNeil (Neil) Reid (1939-1988), including:

• Newsletters and bulletins published by London branches of the Communist Party of Great Britain and other groups, 1939-1961
• Press cuttings regarding communism and communist parties, 1950-1985
• Ephemera and leaflets published by Communist Party candidates for London based elections, and other miscellaneous ephemera, 1939-1988
• Report and guide book, c1939
• Papers regarding Rosemary Reid (née Small), 1961-1988
• Papers of associated groups, n.d.
• Black and white photographs of elections, a State Service and various individuals, c1949-1974.

Quantity

2 boxes.