Thomas Reeves VC

Name: Thomas Reeves

Conflict: Crimean War

Gazetted: February 24, 1857

Service: Royal Navy

Place/date of birth: Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire/1828

Rank when awarded VC (and later highest rank): Able Seaman (Captain of the Foretop)

Date of bravery: November 5, 1854

London Gazette citation [joint citation]:

Thomas Reeves, Seaman.

At the Battle of Inkerman, 5th November, 1854, when the Right Lancaster Battery was attacked, these three seamen mounted the banquette, and, under a heavy fire, made use of the disabled soldiers’ muskets, which were loaded for them by others under the parapet. They are the survivors of five who performed the above action.

(Letter from Sir S. Lushington, 7th June, 1856.)

Click here to see full Gazette entry.

Other decorations: N/A

Place/date of death: Portsea, Portsmouth, Hampshire/August 4, 1862

Grave/memorials: Portsea Island General Cemetery (now Mile End Gardens), Portsmouth, Hampshire

Origin of VC to the Lord Ashcroft collection: Purchased at auction, Spink, London, 1998

Current location of VC: Displayed on rotation at The Lord Ashcroft Gallery: Extraordinary Heroes exhibition, Imperial War Museum