The son of J. H. Reay, a civil servant, he was born at Wallington in June 1891.[1] He worked in the London Stock Exchange as an authorised clerk, and was married to Dorothy Katherine Livermore.[1]
He made a single appearance in first-class cricket for the Gentlemen of England against Oxford University at Eastbourne in June 1910.[2] Batting once in the match, he scored 5 not out in the Gentlemen of England first-innings, while with the ball he took a single wicket in the Oxford first-innings when he dismissed Charles Hooman, finishing with figures of 1 for 51 from eleven overs.[3]
He served in the First World War with the Royal Fusiliers as part of The Stockbrokers' Battalion, enlisting in August 1914 as a lance corporal.[1]
He landed in Boulogne in on 30 July 1915, with his battalion sent to Tilques. He was killed in action nearby on 8 October 1915.[1] His body was never recovered and he is commemorated at the Thiepval Memorial.[1] His brother, Gilly, was also a first-class cricketer.
