Reginald Graham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Sir Reginald Graham, 3rd Baronet
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|---|---|
| Born | 17 September 1892 Calcutta, British India |
| Died | 6 December 1980 (aged 88) Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Service/ |
British Army |
| Rank | Lieutenant Colonel |
| Service number | 99671 |
| Unit | Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders |
| Battles/wars | First World War Second World War |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Officer of the Order of the British Empire King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty (Norway) |
| Other work | Usher of the Green Rod |
Sir John Reginald Noble Graham (born September 17, 1892 – died December 6, 1980) was a brave British army officer and businessman. He is famous for receiving the Victoria Cross, which is the highest award for bravery in the face of the enemy for British and Commonwealth soldiers. He earned this special award during the First World War in 1917 for his amazing courage and quick thinking while leading a machine gun team.
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Early Life
Reginald Graham was born in Calcutta, India, on September 17, 1892. He was the oldest son of Sir Frederick Graham. He went to school at Eton College and then studied at Trinity College, Cambridge.
Bravery in the First World War
When the First World War started, Graham joined the British Army. He became part of the 9th Battalion of The Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders (Princess Louise's). Later, he joined the Machine Gun Corps and was sent to a place called Mesopotamia.
In April 1917, during a battle called the Samarra offensive, Lieutenant Graham was leading a machine gun team. They were working with another group of soldiers near a place called Istabulat. He showed incredible bravery that night.
- He moved his machine guns across open ground while the enemy was shooting heavily.
- Even when his soldiers were hurt, he helped carry the heavy ammunition.
- He was shot twice but kept going, controlling his guns.
- With one gun, he fired accurately at the enemy who were getting ready to attack.
- When that gun was broken by enemy fire, and he was wounded again, he made sure to disable it so the enemy couldn't use it.
- He then used another type of gun, called a Lewis gun, very effectively until he ran out of bullets.
- He was badly wounded a third time and had to leave because he was losing too much blood.
His amazing courage and skill with his guns stopped a strong enemy attack. This attack could have caused a very dangerous situation for his army group. Because of his actions, he was given the Victoria Cross.
After he recovered from his serious injuries, Captain Graham returned to Mesopotamia. He continued to serve there until January 1918. Then, his team moved to Palestine, where he was put in charge with the rank of major.
After the war ended, Graham went back home to Cardross, Scotland, where he was welcomed as a hero.
Life After the War
After his military service, Graham worked in India for his family's business, William Graham and Company. This company was started by his great-great-grandfather.
In 1920, Graham married Rachel Sprot. They had a son, who later became Sir John Graham, and a daughter named Lesley.
Graham became a Baronet in 1936 after his father passed away. During the Second World War, he served in the Scottish Command as a temporary Lieutenant Colonel. He received another important award, the Officer of the Order of the British Empire, in 1946. In 1949, he was also given the King Haakon VII's Cross of Liberty from Norway.
From 1959 to 1979, Graham had a special role called Usher of the Green Rod for the Order of the Thistle. This meant he took part in many important national events, like the unveiling of a memorial for King George VI in 1962.
Sir Reginald Graham passed away in Edinburgh when he was 88 years old.
Memorials
Sir Reginald Graham's medals are kept at the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum in Stirling Castle. They are on loan from his family.
A special memorial stone for Reginald Graham was revealed at the Cardross War Memorial on April 22, 2017. This was exactly 100 years after his incredibly brave actions in the war. There is also another memorial stone for him at the National Memorial Arboretum, along with stones for other Victoria Cross recipients who were born outside the UK.
Honours
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| Ribbon | Description | Notes |
| Victoria Cross (VC) | Awarded on September 14, 1917. | |
| Order of the British Empire (OBE) | He was an Officer in the Military Division. Awarded in the 1946 New Year Honours List. | |
| Baronetcy (Bt) | He became the 3rd Baronet of Larbert House and Househill. He inherited this title in 1936. | |
| British War Medal | Awarded on July 26, 1919. | |
| WWI Victory Medal | Awarded on September 1, 1919. | |
| Defence Medal | ||
| War Medal | ||
| King George V Silver Jubilee Medal | Awarded on May 6, 1935. | |
| King George VI Coronation Medal | Awarded on May 12, 1937. | |
| Queen Elizabeth II Coronation Medal | Awarded on June 2, 1953. | |
| Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal | Awarded on February 6, 1977. This was the UK version of the medal. | |
| King Haakon VII Freedom Cross | Awarded on March 25, 1949. |
Images for kids
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Memorial Stone at Cardross
