James Henry Reynolds VC (1844 - 1932)

Born 3 Feb 1844 in Dublin

Husband of Elizabeth Mary (McCormick) Reynolds — married 22 Sep 1880 in Glenealy, Co Wicklow

Descendants

Died 4 Mar 1932 at age 88 in London

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Biography

James Reynolds VC is Notable.

Early Life

James was born on February 3 1844 in Ireland ^[1] He was the second son of Lawrence Reynolds and Margaret (Kearney) Reynolds

He was educated at the Vincentian College at Castleknock, Ireland and at Trinity College, Dublin where he graduated with M B and M Ch. In 1868 he entered the British Army Medical Staff Corps as an Assistant Surgeon. ^[2]. In 1869 he was dispatched to join the 36th Foot in India where he served in Peshawar, in the North West of India, where he was part of a medical team dealing with a cholera outbreak ^[3] This eventually affected his own health and after being placed on the sick list, he returned back to England, arriving in November 1870. ^[3]

In 1873, he was sent to St Helena, and then to South Africa where he served in the 1877-8 Xhosa war along the Eastern Frontier of the Cape Colony. ^[3]

In 1879 he was attached to the 24th Regiment and was involved in the Zulu War of that year. After the regiment was overrun the previous day by the Zulu army led by Cetshwayo at Isandlwana, a small band of men were left to defend a field hospital at Rorke's Drift. ^[3]

Rorke's Drift

The defence of Rorke's Drift on January 22 and 23 of 1879 has entered history. Repeated attempts by the Zulus to overrun the small garrison were beaten off. James was involved in both tending to the patients in his hospital, and carrying ammunition to the defenders. ^{[2] [3]}

The conspicuous bravery shown by him and the other defenders was recognised by the award of the Victoria Cross to James and to ten others. The Victoria Cross is Britains's highest award for bravery. ^[2]

The battle was filmed as "Zulu" in 1963, and James was played by Patrick Magee.

In addition to Victoria Cross, James was made an Honorary Doctor (D.LL) of Trinity College Dublin, and an honorary Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Ireland. ^[2]

Later Life

James married Elizabeth McCormick on 1 September 1880 in Ashford, Ireland, Ireland.^[4]

In the 1880s he served in Gibraltar and Cyprus.

Elizabeth died on 8 December 1886 and was buried in Glasnevin, County Dublin, Ireland.^[5] James was left with four children under the age of seven. He had great assistance from his sister in law Jennie Cuff in bringing up his family. ^[3]

He retired from the army in 1896, and spent the rest of his career in medical charge of the Royal Army Clothing Factory in Pimlico, London, England.

James died on 4 March 1932. His death (age 88) was registered in the Jan-Feb-Mar quarter of 1932 in the St. George Hanover Square district.^[6] and he was buried in Kensal Green, London Borough of Brent, Greater London, England.^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Birth and Burial: "Find A Grave Index"
   Citing record ID 8575031, Find a Grave, http://www.findagrave.com.
   FamilySearch (accessed 18 July 2022) James Henry Reynolds burial (died on 4 Mar 1932) in Kensal Green, London Borough of Brent, Greater London, England.
2. ↑ ^{2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3} Lt Col JH Reynolds VC Obituary in The Tablet March 12 1932 Page 343
3. ↑ ^{3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5} "The Rorke's Drift Doctor" by Lee Stevenson published in 2001 by Lee Stevenson Publishing. ISBN 0-954 1963-0-9.
4. ↑ Marriage: "Ireland, Catholic Parish Registers, 1655-1915"
   National Library of Ireland; Dublin, Ireland; Microfilm Number: Microfilm 06478 / 07
   Ancestry Sharing Link - Ancestry uk Record 61039 #9818976 (accessed 18 July 2022)
   Elizabeth Mary McCormack marriage to James Henry Reynolds on 1 Sep 1880 in Ashford, Ireland, Ireland.
5. ↑ Spouse Burial: "UK and Ireland, Find a Grave Index, 1300s-Current"
   Ancestry uk Record 60526 #329212 (accessed 18 July 2022)
   Elizabeth Mary Reynolds burial (died on 8 Dec 1886) in Glasnevin, County Dublin, Ireland.
6. ↑ Death Registration: "England & Wales General Register Office"
   GRO Online Indexes - Death (accessed 18 July 2022)
   Reynolds, James Henry (Age at death: 88).
   GRO Reference: 1932 Jan-Feb-Mar in St. George Hanover Square Volume 01A Page 709.