Hamilton Reed

Major General Hamilton Lyster Reed, (23 May 1869 – 7 March 1931) was an Irish 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.

Details
Born in Dublin, he was a grandson of Hamilton Lyster, and a son of Sir Andrew Reed. He was educated at the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich, and was gazetted into the Royal Field Artillery, 13 February 1888

He was 30 years old, and a captain in 7th Battery, Royal Field Artillery, British Army during the Second Boer War when the following deed took place during the Battle of Colenso for which he was awarded the VC: "Captain Reed, who had heard of the difficulty, shortly afterwards brought down three teams from liis 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."

During the later part of the war, he served as a Staff Officer, in the position of Deputy Assistant Adjutant-General

Reed later achieved the rank of Major general and served in the First World War.

He died in London on 7 March 1931.

His son Andrew was killed in the Battle of France whilst serving with the RAF

The Medal
His Medal is part of the Lord Ashcroft collection.