William Reynolds (VC)

William Reynolds
Depiction of the battle of Alma
Born1827
Edinburgh, Scotland
Died20 October 1869 (aged 41-42)
Strand, London
Buried
Brookwood Cemetery, London
AllegianceUnited Kingdom United Kingdom
Service / branch British Army
RankCorporal
UnitScots Fusilier Guards
Battles / warsCrimean War
AwardsVictoria Cross

William Reynolds VC (1827 – 20 October 1869) was a Scottish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. Reynolds was the first private to receive the award.

Details

Reynolds' grave in Brookwood Cemetery

He was about 27 years old, and a private in the Scots Fusilier Guards, British Army during the Crimean War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 20 September 1854 at the Battle of the Alma, Crimean Peninsula, when the formation of the line was disordered, Private Reynolds behaved with conspicuous gallantry, in rallying the men round the Colours.[1]

Reynolds was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at the first VC investiture held at Hyde Park, London, on 26 June 1857.[2]

Further information

He later achieved the rank of corporal.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at The Guards Regimental Headquarters (Scots Guards RHQ), Wellington Barracks, Chelsea, London, England.

References

  1. ^ "No. 21971". The London Gazette. 24 February 1857. p. 657.
  2. ^ The Victoria Cross and the George Cross: The Complete History - Volume 1 1854-1914, Published by Methuen, London, 2013, ISBN 978-0-413-77218-3, pp. 8–9. An errata states that the biographical details for James McKechnie and William Reynolds were incorrectely listed under the other's name.