It was in the year 1857 that Private William Reynolds became the first ever solider to receive Britain’s highest military honour, Victoria Cross. Reynolds was awarded the gallantry award for his exemplary valour in the battle of Alma in 1854, the Crimean war. In those days Victorian Cross medals made from bronze that was taken from cannons which British captured from the Russians army after Sebastopol siege in Crimea. To aptly honour his courage a specially commissioned headstone will be dedicated at his grave in London.
Pte Reynolds, who was from Edinburgh, was a member of No 4 Company, and in the battle his company was asked to defend a strategic position from being taken over by the Russian Army. Though they were heavy attacked and even the Queen’s Colours was badly damaged after sustaining 24 bullets. Despite that Pte Reynolds and his comrades continued to fight and maintained their supremacy over the hillock. Once the war got over Queen Victoria bestowed Pte Reynolds and other four members of his company with Victoria Cross in a ceremony, in Hyde Park.
Pte Reynolds died at the age of 42 in Strand in 1869. He was buried in a nondescript graveyard, in London’s Broakwood Cemetery and was marked with only a small metal disc. The Scots Guards Association and military history group had to extensively research to locate his grave. The two associations decided that Pte Reynold’s heroism is overdue and it’s time to give his due which he certainly deserves.
Source: BBC
