Oswald Austin Reid

Oswald Austin Reid
Victoria Cross Medal
Born	2 November 1893
Died	27 October 1920 (aged 26) Johannesburg, South Africa
Buried at	Braamfontein Cemetery, Johannesburg, South Africa
Allegiance	United Kingdom  Union of South Africa
Service/branch	British Army
Rank	Major
Unit	1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment
Wars	World War I Mesopotamian campaign
Awards	VC

Oswald Austin Reid VC (2 November 1893 - 27 October 1920) was a South African 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 23 years old, and a Captain in the 1st Battalion, The King's (Liverpool) Regiment, British Army, attached 6th Battalion, The Loyal North Lancashire Regiment during the First World War when the following deed took place for which he was awarded the VC.

On 8/10 March 1917 at Dialah River, Mesopotamia, Captain Reid consolidated a small post with the advanced troops on the opposite side of the river to the main body, after his lines of communication had been cut by the sinking of the pontoons. He maintained this position for 30 hours against constant attacks by bombs, machine-guns and rifle fire, with the full knowledge that repeated attempts at relief had failed and that his ammunition was all but exhausted. It was greatly due to his tenacity that the crossing of the river was effected the next night. During the operations he was wounded.

Further information

He later achieved the rank of Major.

The medal

His Victoria Cross is displayed at the National Museum of Military History in Johannesburg.

External links

• Obituary

Persondata
Name	Reid, Oswald Austin
Alternative names
Short description
Date of birth	November 2, 1893
Place of birth
Date of death	October 27, 1920
Place of death