James Reid was born in Bournemouth on 24 October 1906, the son of George Alexander Reid, a general practitioner, and his wife Muriel, née Hopwood. He was educated at Hailey Preparatory School in Bournemouth, and Marlborough College, Wiltshire. He then went to Oxford University and on to St George's Hospital Medical School, graduating in 1930. Initially he followed his father into general practice in Bournemouth, but soon became a surgeon at Boscombe Hospital. On 8 December 1941 he married Hilda Murray Searle. During the war he served in the RAMC from 1939 to 1945 in France, North Africa and Italy with the 11th Field Hospital and attained the rank of lieutenant colonel. While serving in Italy he attended King George VI, having been invited to do so because of his candour and manner. He was subsequently made a Member (later translated to Lieutenant) of the Royal Victorian Order. After the war he had a spell of farming beside Poole harbour, where he enjoyed boating. In 1955 he was appointed civilian specialist surgeon at Tidworth Military Hospital. His manner and bearing were those of an Edwardian country gentleman, and he entertained people with many anecdotes. He nearly lost his job because of his contempt for bureaucratic 'fiddle faddle'. In 1962 he joined British Rail as an occupational physician and became intensely interested in the working conditions of railwaymen, the crews of Sealink ferries and the staff at Eastleigh Railway Works of the Southampton Docks Board. He was a champion of the underdog, appreciating every person's value, maintaining confidences, and often reminding management of its correct role. He lectured and examined in first aid and was made an Officer Brother of the Order of St John. His library and his culinary skills were among his hobbies, which also included sailing, snooker and gardening. He died on 29 August 1994, survived by his daughter Sally Long and three step-children from the first marriage of his wife Hilda, who died before him.