Jump to content

Andrew Reed (police officer)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Sir
Andrew Reed
In The Sketch, 14 March 1900
Born(1837-09-26)26 September 1837
Galway, Ireland
Died7 November 1914(1914-11-07) (aged 77)
Dublin, Ireland
Burial placeDeans Grange Cemetery
Occupation(s)Barrister, inspector-general
ChildrenHamilton Lyster Reed

Sir Andrew Reed KCB CVO JP (26 September 1837 – 7 November 1914) was an Anglo-Irish barrister and inspector-general of the Royal Irish Constabulary.[1]

Biography

[edit]

Reed was born in Galway, Ireland, the son of John Reed of Galway and Mary Adamson of County Meath. He was educated at Queen's University Belfast and called to the Bar in 1873. He entered the Royal Irish Constabulary and was appointed District Inspector, 1859; became Inspector-General in 1885. He retired 1900.[2]

Aside from being the only R.I.C. cadet officer to be promoted Inspector General, Reed changed the rules for promotion in the Royal Irish Constabulary. Up until his tenure, Catholics had little success in attaining promotions. Even though most of the force was Catholic, almost all the officers were non-Catholic. Reed instituted a rule that each year, 60 men who were Catholic and passed the Sergeant's exam would be promoted.

He was appointed a Knight Bachelor in 1889, a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in 1892, a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order (CVO) in 1900 and a Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath (KCB) in 1897.[1]

His son Major General Hamilton Lyster Reed was awarded the Victoria Cross for his bravery in the Second Boer War.

Reed died in Dublin in November 1914[3] and is buried in Deans Grange Cemetery. His epitaph reads: - "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth." (3 John 4.)

Coat of arms of Andrew Reed
Notes
Granted 23 November 1909 by Nevile Wilkinson, Ulster King of Arms.[4]
Crest
A griffin segreant Or charged with a trefoil slipped Gules.
Torse
Of the colours.
Escutcheon
Or on a chevron between three garbs Gules as many trefoils slipped Argent.
Motto
Memor Et Fidelis

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Burke, Sir Bernard, ed. (1914). Burke's Peerage, Baronetage & Knighthood (76th ed.). Burke's Peerage & Gentry. p. 2493.
  2. ^ "Andrew Reed (1837–1914): a very civil policeman / Features / Issue 4 (July/August 2005) / Volume 13 /". Historyireland.com. 7 November 1914. Retrieved 19 November 2011.
  3. ^ "Death of Sir Andrew Reed". The Times. 8 November 1914. p. 3. Retrieved 22 October 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. ^ "Grants and Confirmations of Arms Vol. K". National Library of Ireland. p. 153. Retrieved 24 June 2022.