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In Memory of
CPOETSSM HUGH PETER REID R57982
The SAA is saddened to advise of the passing of long serving SAA Member Peter Reid in
Tasmania, at the age of 82.
Peter was born in Blackpool England on the 25 th of January 1943, at a time when Blackpool,
indeed the whole of the United Kingdom, was still under attack by the Luftwaffe. He was the
elder son of Hugh Reid and Marjorie Salmon. In 1955 Peter was living in Northern Ireland
when he and his brother Paul emigrated to Australia under the “Fairbridge Farm Scheme.
The scheme was set up in 1909 and its initial focus was to educate orphaned and neglected
children and train them in farming practices at farm schools located throughout the British
Empire. In the 1950s it was extended to the assisted emigration of families. Having
separated from the boy’s father in 1953, Majorie made the difficult decision to send the boys
to Australia alone, she would eventually follow them and be reunited. The boys arrived on
the SS Iberia on the 22 nd of January 1956.
In May 1961 Peter, a trainee technician with the Post Master Generals’ Department, enlisted
in the RAN on a nine year engagement. He was rated as a Radio Electrical Mechanic 2 nd
class (REM2) and on completion of his initial training in February 1962 he joined the newly
commissioned Destroyer Escort HMAS Yarra, followed by a posting to the aging River Class
Frigate HMAS Warrego in January 1963. He was advanced to REM1 (Able Seaman) in
March 1963 and to Acting Leading Electrical Mechanic Communications in February 1964,
with a title change to Leading Electrician Weapons Radar in November 1964.
In 1964 Peter was one of the early Australian volunteers for service in the Oberon Class
submarines and along with twenty eight other ratings he left Australia in June 1964 for the
United Kingdom. He trained at HMS Dolphin in Gosport England before serving on the
British Oberon Class submarines HMS Orpheus and HMS Osirus and on the Porpoise Class
submarine HMS Sealion. He served with the Royal Navy until joining HMAS Otway on the
23 rd of April 1968 as a member of her commissioning crew. He was promoted to Acting Petty
Officer Electrician Weapons Radar in July 1967 and confirmed in rank a year later.
In 1973 Peter discharged from the navy as a CPOETSSM on completion of twelve years
service. He then embarked on a successful career in managerial positions, firstly with Tandy
Electronics and then later with Sleeping Giant Bedding, Greyhound Buses and McCafferty’s
Coaches. After an unsuccessful attempt to semi-retire he joined the Australian Protective
Services (now part of the AFP) in the early 1990s where he remained until his final
retirement and move to Tasmania in 2006.
Within weeks of arriving home in Australia on Otway, Peter had joined the Submarine Old
Comrades Association (OCA) in November 1968. The SOCA later became the Submarines
Association of Australia (SAA) and at the time of his death, he was one of the longest
serving members of the OCA/SAA.
Peter passed away in Tasmania on Monday the 23 rd of June 2025 after a long battle with
cancer. He had made arrangements that his body be donated for medical research - a
memorial service will be held at a date to be advised.
The SAA extends it sincere condolences to Peter’s extended family and friends.
May He Rest In Peace
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