William Reynolds (VC)

Template:Short description Template:Use dmy dates Template:Use British English Template:Infobox military person 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

File:William Reynolds VC Grave 2016.jpg

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.<ref>Template:London Gazette</ref>

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.<ref>The Victoria Cross and the George Cross: The Complete History - Volume 1 1854-1914, Published by Methuen, London, 2013, Template:ISBN, pp. 8–9. An erratum states that the biographical details for James McKechnie and William Reynolds were incorrectly listed under the other's name.</ref>

He later achieved the rank of corporal.

Medal

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

• Scots Guards Regimental and Association Website
• Location of grave and VC medal (Brookwood Cemetery)
• The Brookwood Cemetery Society (Known Holders of the Victoria Cross Commemorated in Brookwood Cemetery)
• Special ceremony at Edinburgh Castle in April 2007