William Reynolds (VC)

William Reynolds VC (1827 - October 20, 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

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, Crimea, when the formation of the line was disordered, Private Reynolds behaved with conspicuous gallantry, in rallying the men round the Colours.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of corporal.

The medal

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

References

*Monuments to Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
*The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
*Scotland's Forgotten Valour (Graham Ross, 1995)

External links

* [http://www.scotsguards.co.uk Scots Guards Regimental and Association Website]
* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/brookwoo.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Brookwood Cemetery)"
* [http://www.tbcs.org.uk/vcs.htm The Brookwood Cemetery Society] "(Known Holders of the Victoria Cross Commemorated in Brookwood Cemetery)"
* [http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/edinburgh_and_east/6591311.stm Special ceremony at Edinburgh Castle in April 2007]
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