Hamilton Lyster Reed VC

Name: Hamilton Lyster Reed

Conflict: Second Boer War

Gazetted: February 2, 1900

Service: Army

Place/date of birth: Dublin, Ireland/May 23, 1869

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Captain (later Major General)

Date of bravery: December 15, 1899

London Gazette citation:

7^th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, Captain H.L. Reed.

Captain Reed, who had heard of the difficulty [at the Battle of Colenso], shortly afterwards brought down three teams from his battery to see if he could be of any use. He was wounded, as were five of the thirteen men who rode with him, one was killed; and thirteen of the twenty-one horses were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was obliged to retire.

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: CB, CMG

Place/date of death: South Kensington, London/March 7, 1931

Grave/memorials: East Sheen and Richmond Cemetery, London/Royal Artillery Chapel, Woolwich, London

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Christie’s, London, 1992

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum