Major GeneralHamilton Lyster Reed, VC, CB, CMG, (23 May 1869 – 7 March 1931) was an Irish British Army officer, and 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.
Reed was promoted to lieutenant on 17 February 1891, and to captain on 14 September 1898.[4] Following the outbreak of the Second Boer War in late 1899, he went to South Africa on active service.[5] He took part in the Ladysmith Relief Force, including the Battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899, where he was wounded.[6]
Details on Victoria Cross
He was a 30 years old captain in 7th Battery, Royal Field Artillery during the battle of Colenso on 15 December 1899. The detachments serving the guns of the 14th and 66th Batteries, Royal Field Artillery, had all been either killed, wounded, or driven from their guns by Infantry fire at close range, and the guns were deserted. His citation mentions the following deed, for which he was awarded the VC:
Captain Reed, who had heard of the difficulty, 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 out of twenty-one horses were killed before he got half-way to the guns, and he was obliged to retire.[6]
Boer War
After the end of regular warfare, the war turned into a guerrilla war in late 1900. During the later part of the war, Reed served as a Staff Officer, in the position of Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General for Intelligence from 12 June 1901.[7]
The War ended in June 1902. Reed left Cape Town in the SS Dilwara in late July, and arrived in Southampton the following month.[8] He returned to the Royal Artillery as a regular officer in January 1903.[9]
He then received a permanent promotion to major general in June 1919[12] and served as General Officer Commanding, 52nd (Lowland) Infantry Division from June 1923 until he retired in June 1927.[13]
