Hamilton Reed

Hamilton Lyster Reed (VC, CB, CMG, Legion of Honor, 3rd Class (USA), Croix de Guerre (France)) was an Irish 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.

Details

He was 30 years old, and a Captain in the 7th Bty., Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the South African War (Boer War) when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 15 December 1899 at the Battle of Colenso, South Africa, when so many horses had become casualties, Captain Reed brought three teams from his battery in an attempt to save the remaining guns. The shell and rifle fire was intense and he was wounded almost at once, as were five of the 13 men who rode with him. One was killed and 13 horses (including his own) out of 21 were killed before he got half way to the guns, and he was forced to retire.

Further information

Nephew of Lieutenant H.H. Lyster, VC.
Served in the First World War. He later achieved the rank of Major General.

The medal

please update if you know where his medal is publicly displayed

Reference

• Irish Winners of the Victoria Cross (Richard Doherty & David Truesdale, 2000)
• Monuments To Courage (David Harvey, 1999)
• The Register of the Victoria Cross (This England, 1997)
• Victoria Crosses of the Anglo-Boer War (Ian Uys, 2000)

External links

• Location of grave and VC medal (Surrey)

This page has been migrated from the Victoria Cross Reference with permission.