Henry Reynolds
Captain, 12th Battalion. Royal Scots
- Register No.
- 1041 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Captain all Captains →
- Unit
- 12th Battalion. Royal Scots (register: Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment)) all Royal Scots (Lothian Regiment) VCs →
- Date of action
- 20 September 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Conflict / campaign
- First World War
- London Gazette
- 8th November, 1917 on this day → all of 1917 →
- Born
- 16th August 1879 at Whilton, Northamptonshire
- Died
- 26th March 1948 at Carshalton, Surrey
- Memorial / grave
- at St Giles Churchyard, Ashtead, Surrey
Digest of citation
On 20th September 1917, Captain Reynold's company were suffering heavy casualties caused by a machine-gun and an enemy pillbox, at Zonnebeke, which had been missed by the first wave of the attack. Captain Reynold's men were scattered and disorganised. He got the men organised and then, proceeded alone, dashing from shell-hole to shell-hole, all the time under constant fire from a machine-gun. As he closed on the pillbox, he threw a grenade, unfortunately the entrance had been blocked by the enemy. Crawling to the entrance of the pillbox, he forced a phosphorus grenade inside. This caused the strong point to be set on fire, killed three of the enemy and forced the remaining seven or eight to surrender, along with two machine-guns. Although wounded, he led his company against another objective, and on its capture, took 70 prisoners and two more machine-guns. Captain Reynolds kept complete control of his men throughout the action, even though they were under heavy machine-gun fire, from the flanks, continuously
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
REYNOLDS, Henry. (reg No. 1041).
Captain. 12th Battalion. Royal Scots.
London Gazetted on 8th November, 1917.
Born on 16th August 1879 at Whilton, Northamptonshire.
Died on 26th March 1948 at Carshalton, Surrey.
Memorial on grave at St Giles Churchyard, Ashtead, Surrey.
Digest of Citation reads: On 20th September 1917, Captain Reynold's company were suffering heavy casualties caused by a machine-gun and an enemy pillbox, at Zonnebeke, which had been missed by the first wave of the attack. Captain Reynold's men were scattered and disorganised. He got the men organised and then, proceeded alone, dashing from shell-hole to shell-hole, all the time under constant fire from a machine-gun. As he closed on the pillbox, he threw a grenade, unfortunately the entrance had been blocked by the enemy. Crawling to the entrance of the pillbox, he forced a phosphorus grenade inside. This caused the strong point to be set on fire, killed three of the enemy and forced the remaining seven or eight to surrender, along with two machine-guns. Although wounded, he led his company against another objective, and on its capture, took 70 prisoners and two more machine-guns. Captain Reynolds kept complete control of his men throughout the action, even though they were under heavy machine-gun fire, from the flanks, continuously.
Additional information:. Captain Reynolds also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the son of Thomas and Tryphena (née Godson) Reynolds. On 3rd October 1905, he married Gwendolen Jones and had three children, Thomas Henry William; Gwendolen Tryphena and Velia Rosemary . He was recommended for a Commission in the Regular Army, in 1919, by Lieutenant Colonel Ritson, Commanding 12th Battalion, the Royal Scots.
Additional information
Captain Reynolds also held the Military Cross (MC). He was the son of Thomas and Tryphena (née Godson) Reynolds. On 3rd October 1905, he married Gwendolen Jones and had three children, Thomas Henry William; Gwendolen Tryphena and Velia Rosemary . He was recommended for a Commission in the Regular Army, in 1919, by Lieutenant Colonel Ritson, Commanding 12th Battalion, the Royal Scots.
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: at St Giles Churchyard, Ashtead, Surrey
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