William (Billy) Reeves was a policeman and already held the Jubilee (Police) Medal of 1897 before he joined the 7th Hussars in 1899.
The Medal was issued to all ranks of the Metropolitan and City of London Police.
Whilst with the Hussars in South Africa he was awarded the Queen’s South Africa Medal with 5 bars.
He went to India with the Regiment in 1911. He was then posted to the permanent staff of The North Somerset Yeomanry.
He went to war with the Yeomanry in 1914 and in 1915 he was awarded the D.C.M.
The citation reads:
“For gallant conduct at Zillebeke on 13th February 1915, when he picked up a bomb, the fuse of which was still burning, and threw it out of the trench. This prompt action undoubtedly saved the lives of three of his comrades.”
Later in the same year he was awarded The Russian Order of St. George 1st Class and was promoted to Regimental Sergeant Major. In 1916 was commissioned into the Royal Field Artillery.
He was awarded the Military Cross in September 1917 with the Artillery and was wounded in December of the same year.
After discharge from hospital, he was appointed commandant of a group of P.O.W. camps in Norfolk.
On the return of the P.O.W.s to Germany he returned to Regimental duty with the Royal Field Artillery.
He retired in 1921 with the rank of Captain.
