Thomas Reeves
Seaman, Royal Navy
- Register No.
- 1034 (Alf's numbering, from The Register of the Victoria Cross, 1997)
- Rank
- Seaman (register: Able Seaman) all Able Seamans →
- Unit
- Royal Navy (register: Naval Brigade) all Naval Brigade VCs →
- Date of action
- 5 November 1854 on this day → all of 1854 →
- Conflict / campaign
- Crimean War
- London Gazette
- 24 February 1857 on this day → all of 1857 →
- Born
- in 1828 at Portsmouth, Hampshire
- Died
- 4th August1862 at Portsea, Hampshire
- Memorial / grave
- He was Buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This cemetery was turned into Mile End Gardens then further changed into a Car Park. Finally it became the Cross Channel Ferry Port where a Plaque was placed in honour of Thomas Reeves. Memorial Fund which works to ensure all graves of holders of the highest military bravery award in Britain
Digest of citation
At the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, On the 5th November,1854, when the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked and many of the soldiers were wounded, Seaman Reeves, along with four other Seamen, J.Gorman, M. Scholefield and two un-named others, who were killed during the action, mounted the defence work banquette** and, under withering fire from the enemy, kept up a rapid, repulsing fire. Their muskets being reloaded for them by the injured soldiers under the parapet and eventually the enemy fell back and gave no more trouble. soldiers may stand whilst firing
From Alf Askin's research notes
Reproduced as Alf wrote it, c. 2000–2005. Spelling and abbreviations are his own.
REEVES Thomas (Reg. No. 1034)
Seaman Royal Navy.* London Gazetted on 24 February 1857.
Born in 1828 at Portsmouth, Hampshire Died on 4th August1862 at Portsea, Hampshire.
Memorial He was Buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This cemetery was turned into Mile End Gardens then further changed into a Car Park. Finally it became the Cross Channel Ferry Port where a Plaque was placed in honour of Thomas Reeves.
Digest of Citation reads: At the Battle of Inkerman, Crimea, On the 5th November,1854, when the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked and many of the soldiers were wounded, Seaman Reeves, along with four other Seamen, J.Gorman, M. Scholefield and two un-named others, who were killed during the action, mounted the defence work banquette** and, under withering fire from the enemy, kept up a rapid, repulsing fire. Their muskets being reloaded for them by the injured soldiers under the parapet and eventually the enemy fell back and gave no more trouble.
* Naval Brigade.
** Banquette:- A platform lining a trench, or parapet wall, where soldiers may stand whilst firing..
Additional Information: Died on of TB in 1862. Plaque unveiled at Ferry Port.. (See Below)
*Report in the journal (Horndean) 10th November 1999
Resting place of Crimean VC War hero is finally recognised.
A plaque has been unveiled commemorating the Portsmouth sailor who was one of the first military men to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Exactly 145 years after naval gunner Thomas Reeves bravely fought off Russian troops, who had killed scores of soldiers from the Right Lancaster Battery, a ceremony was held at his final resting place in the city. The 26 year old fired a barrage of shots at the enemy to defend the British position during the Battle of Inkerman in 1854. He retired to Portsmouth but Died on of tuberculosis in 1862 and was buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This was later turned into Mile End Gardens; a Car Park and now the Cross Channel Ferry Terminal. The plaque paying homage to his heroism was unveiled at the City's ferry port, where a car park has been built on the site of the sailor's last resting place. It was paid for by the Royal Naval Association Victoria Cross Memorial Fund which works to ensure all graves of holders of the highest military bravery award in Britain. Admiral Sir Derek Reffell, President of the RNA in the south, unveiled the plaque after a brief memorial service on Friday. Thos Reeves was originally buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This was later turned into Mile End Gardens; then a Car Park and is now the Cross Channel Ferry Terminal. The plaque paying homage to his heroism was unveiled at the City's ferry port, where a car park has been built on the site of the sailor's last resting place.(Photo.)
From Alf's photographs
Reeves VC - Channel Ferry Terminal, Portsmouth Harbour. (gallery)
Alf's notes on his life
Admiral Sir Derek Reffell, President of the RNA in the south, unveiled the plaque after a brief memorial service on Friday. Thos Reeves was originally buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This was later turned into Mile End Gardens; then a Car Park and is now the Cross Channel Ferry Terminal. The plaque paying homage to his heroism was unveiled at the City's ferry port, where a car park has been built on the site of the sailor's last resting place.(Photo.)
Additional information
Died on of TB in 1862. Plaque unveiled at Ferry Port.. (See Below) Resting place of Crimean VC War hero is finally recognised. A plaque has been unveiled commemorating the Portsmouth sailor who was one of the first military men to be awarded the Victoria Cross. Exactly 145 years after naval gunner Thomas Reeves bravely fought off Russian troops, who had killed scores of soldiers from the Right Lancaster Battery, a ceremony was held at his final resting place in the city. The 26 year old fired a barrage of shots at the enemy to defend the British position during the Battle of Inkerman in 1854. He retired to Portsmouth but Died on of tuberculosis in 1862 and was buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This was later turned into Mile End Gardens; a Car Park and now the Cross Channel Ferry Terminal. The plaque paying homage to his heroism was unveiled at the City's ferry port, where a car park has been built on the site of the sailor's last resting place. It was paid for by the Royal Naval Association Victoria Cross
* Naval Brigade.
** Banquette:- A platform lining a trench, or parapet wall, where
*Report in the journal (Horndean) 10th November 1999
Visit the grave or memorial
Alf recorded the memorial as: He was Buried at Portsea Island General Cemetery. This cemetery was turned into Mile End Gardens then further changed into a Car Park. Finally it became the Cross Channel Ferry Port where a Plaque was placed in honour of Thomas Reeves. Memorial Fund which works to ensure all graves of holders of the highest military bravery award in Britain
Map links open a search for the place name Alf recorded; please check opening times and exact locations before travelling. Many VC graves have since been restored by the Victoria Cross Trust.
Research this recipient further
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