John Charles Walsham Reith, 1st Baron Reith, KT GCVO GBE CB PC

Director General, British Broadcasting Corporation 1927-38; Minister of Information Jan-May 1940; Minister of Transport May-Oct 1940; Minister of Works and Buildings and Firs Commissioner of Works (later Minister of Works and Planning) Oct 1940-Feb 1942

In 1914, Reith left Glasgow for London. Though he readily found work at the Royal Albert Dock, his commission in the 5th Scottish Rifles sent him serving in World War I. He was struck in the cheek by a bullet in October 1915, at which time he was a Lieutenant, and transferred to the Royal Engineers. He spent the next two years in the United States, supervising armament contracts, and became attracted to the country. He was promoted to Captain in 1917, before being transferred to the Royal Marine Engineers in 1918 as a Major. He returned to the Royal Engineers as a Captain in 1919.

LOTFWW

Other References

• "John Reith, 1st Baron Reith", Westminster Abbey
• Page 87 Famous 1914-1918 Richard van Emden and Victor Piuk