Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was educated at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, and joined the Army in August 1888. He was awarded his VC for his bravery on December 15, 1889, at the Battle of Colenso in South Africa, where 143 British soldiers (including Field Marshal Frederick Roberts's only son) were killed and 1,002 wounded, whereas the Boers, under Louis Botha, lost only seven killed and 22 wounded. Reed was serving in the 7th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery. His citation reads "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 thirteen men who rode with him. One was killed and thirteen horses, including his own, out of 21, were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was forced to retire." In 1904, he was promoted to Major. During the First World War he was wounded again and was mentioned in dispatches no less than eight times. After the Armistice, he was promoted to Major General. He retired from the Army in 1928. His uncle, Harry Lyster, was awarded the VC in the Indian Mutiny,
Boer War Victoria Cross Recipient. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he was educated at the Royal Military Academy in Woolwich, and joined the Army in August 1888. He was awarded his VC for his bravery on December 15, 1889, at the Battle of Colenso in South Africa, where 143 British soldiers (including Field Marshal Frederick Roberts's only son) were killed and 1,002 wounded, whereas the Boers, under Louis Botha, lost only seven killed and 22 wounded. Reed was serving in the 7th Battery of the Royal Field Artillery. His citation reads "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 thirteen men who rode with him. One was killed and thirteen horses, including his own, out of 21, were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was forced to retire." In 1904, he was promoted to Major. During the First World War he was wounded again and was mentioned in dispatches no less than eight times. After the Armistice, he was promoted to Major General. He retired from the Army in 1928. His uncle, Harry Lyster, was awarded the VC in the Indian Mutiny,
Bio by: Iain MacFarlaine
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