The Reid family had long ties back throughout the history of Britain. At one point, the Sussex-based family had been leading nobility, with Lord Reid controlling a large portion of Sussex. Unfortunately, as the centuries went on, the family had less and less influence over the land. By 1917, the title of Lord had slipped away from the family; however they still held influence on Sussex, with a large estate near the town of Battle, in East Sussex. The “lord of the manor” was Brigadier Anthony Reid, an ex-army officer, who finished his career as the Executive Officer of the Sixth Infantry Division before retiring in 1918.