William ReynoldsVC (1827 – 20 October 1869) was a Scottish 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. Reynolds was the first private to receive the award.
On 20 September 1854 at the Battle of the Alma, Crimean Peninsula, when the formation of the line was disordered, Private Reynolds behaved with conspicuous gallantry, in rallying the men round the Colours.[1]
Reynolds was personally presented with the Victoria Cross by Queen Victoria at the first VC investiture held at Hyde Park, London, on 26 June 1857.[2]
^The Victoria Cross and the George Cross: The Complete History - Volume 1 1854-1914, Published by Methuen, London, 2013, ISBN978-0-413-77218-3, pp. 8–9. An errata states that the biographical details for James McKechnie and William Reynolds were incorrectely listed under the other's name.