R.F. Reid-Daly CLM, DMM, MBE

Ron Reid-Daly Born: 22 September 1928 and passed away: 9th August 2010 in Simons Town, South Africa

Ron Reid-Daly was born on the 22nd September 1928 in Salisbury, Rhodesia. He attended Alan Wilson High School before joining the Post Office as a telephone technician, intent on making this his career.

Lt Col Ron Reid Daly first became a soldier in 1951 when he volunteered to fight with ‘C’ (Rhodesia) Squadron of the British SAS, newly reformed to combat communist insurgency in Malaya.

After this Ron Reid-Daly worked his way up through the ranks in the Rhodesian Army from trooper to become the first Regimental Sergeant Major of the newly formed Commando Battalion ;the Rhodesian Light Infantry . It was here that Reid-Daly came into his own, where his firm hand and disciplinary measures made him known throughout the army. The Regiment blossomed with Reid - Daly becoming somewhat of a legend. For his work and dedication to duty he was awarded the MBE. He was later commissioned and achieved the rank of Captain. Ron Reid-Daly was due for retirement from the Army in 1973. Later that same year Captain R.F. (Ron) Reid-Daly, (then O.C. Support Commando R.L.I.) was persuaded by General Peter Walls, the then chief of the Rhodesian Army, to stay on in continued serviced. He was to establish from scratch an elite Special Forces unit to combat the growing threat posed by communist supported guerrillas. Ron was subsequently appointed Commanding Officer of the new regiment which was named the "Selous Scouts" after the famous African hunter Frederick Courtney Selous.

Col. Reid-Daly affectionately known as Uncle Ron passed away at home on the 9th August 2010 after a prolonged struggle with cancer and diabetes. He was the Associations Patron and will be sorely missed by us all.

To David, Glenda, the family and Ron’s friends, the RLI Association offers our deepest condolences.

“He was just a common Soldier and his ranks are growing thin. But his presence should remind us, we may need his like again.

If we cannot do him honour, while he's here to hear the praise, and then at least let's give him homage, at the ending of his days.”

(Unknown)

Perhaps just a simple headline, in the paper that might say:

“Adieu, dear comrade!
Your mission is fulfill’d-but I, more warlike,
Myself, and this contentious soul of mine,
Still on our own campaigning bound,
Through untried roads, with ambushes, opponents lined,
Through many a sharp defeat and many a crisis-often baffled,
Here marching, ever marching on, a war fight out-aye here,
To fiercer, weightier battles give expression”.

(Walt Whitman)