Douglas Reynolds

Douglas Reynolds VC (20 September 1882 – 23 February 1916) was an English 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.

Douglas Reynolds
Born20 September 1882
Clifton, Bristol
Died23 February 1916 (aged 33)
Le Touquet, France
Buried
Étaples Military Cemetery
Allegiance United Kingdom
Service/branch British Army
Years of service1900-1916
RankMajor
UnitRoyal Field Artillery
Battles/warsWorld War I
AwardsVictoria Cross
Legion d’Honneur
RelationsSir John Hunter
Maj.-Gen. John William Reynolds
Lieut-Gen. Charles Reynolds
Adm. Francis Mitchell
Rev. Patrick Reynolds Mitchell KCVO
Maj.-Gen. Francis Mitchell
Lieut-Cmdr. David Reynolds Mitchell

The son of Lt.-Col. Henry Charles Reynolds and Sarah Eleanor B. Goodwyn, he was educated at Cheltenham College. He was 31 years old, and a Captain in the 37th Bty., Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 26 August 1914 at Le Cateau, France, Captain Reynolds took up two teams with volunteer drivers, to recapture two British guns and limbered up two guns under heavy artillery and infantry fire. Although the enemy was within 100 yards he managed, with the help of two drivers (Job Henry Charles Drain and Frederick Luke), to get one gun away safely. On 9 September at Pysloup, he reconnoitered at close range, discovered a battery which was holding up the advance and silenced it.[1]

He was awarded the French Croix de Chevalier de Legion d’Honneur on 3 November 1914, and his Victoria Cross was presented to him by King George V at Buckingham Palace on 13 January 1915.[2]

Reynolds later achieved the rank of Major, but was wounded in action by a gas shell[3], and died in the Duchess of Westminster's hospital in Le Touquet, France, on 23 February 1916.

Major Reynolds is buried in Etaples Military Cemetery in Northern France, while his Victoria Cross is displayed at the Royal Artillery Museum in Woolwich, London.[4]

Freemasonry

He was Initiated into English Freemasonry in Kitchener Lodge, No. 2998, (New Delhi, India) on 12 June; Passed on 5 August and Raised on 2 December 1912.[5]

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References
  1. "No. 28976". The London Gazette. 13 November 1914. p. 9373.
  2. The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross
  3. The Comprehensive Guide to the Victoria and George Cross
  4. CWGC entry
  5. The Great War 1914-1918 Victoria Cross Freemasons. Granville Angell. 2014. Pp.387-390. ISBN 978-0-9563661-7-7
  • Captain Reynolds VC as depicted on a cigarette card
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