Herbert Taylor Reade

Herbert Taylor Reade VC CB (September 2, 1828, Perth, Upper Canada- June 23, 1897, Bath), was a Canadian 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

He was 28 years old, and a Surgeon in the 61st Regiment (later The Gloucestershire Regiment), British Army during the Indian Mutiny when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 14 September 1857, during the Siege of Delhi, India, while Surgeon Reade was attending the wounded at the end of one of the streets, a party of rebels advanced and having established themselves started firing from the roofs of the houses. The wounded were thus in very great danger but Surgeon Reade drew his sword and, calling on the few soldiers who were near to follow, succeeded in dislodging the rebels. At the assault on Delhi, on 16 September Surgeon Reade was one of the first up at the breach in the magazine and he, with a sergeant, spiked one of the enemy's guns.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Surgeon General. Grave/memorial at Buried at Locksbrook Cemetery, Bath, Somerset (now Bath & North East Somerset), England. Section FJ. Grave 864. Headstone.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at [http://www.glosters.org.uk The Soldiers of Gloucestershire Museum] "(Gloucester, Gloucestershire, England)".

External links

* [http://www.homeusers.prestel.co.uk/stewart/avon.htm Location of grave and VC medal] "(Avon)"
* [http://www.barmy.co.uk/ramc/reade.htm Surgeon-General H.B. Reade]
* [http://www.legionmagazine.com/features/victoriacross/04-03.asp Legion Magazine Article on Herbert Taylor Read]
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