| Occupation before Enlistment |
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| Next of Kin |
- Mr T.G. Reynolds (father), 2 Union Street, Hamilton, New Zealand
- Mrs N.B. Reynolds (wife), 3 Francis Street, Hamilton, New Zealand
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| Enlistment Address |
| 2 Union Street, Hamilton, New Zealand |
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| Body on Embarkation |
| Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force (2NZEF) |
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| Embarkation Unit |
- 24 Infantry Battalion (Auckland)
- Infantry Reinforcements
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| Other Units |
- 2 NZ Division
- 24 Infantry Battalion
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| Military Awards |
- Distinguished Service Order (DSO)
- 1939-1945 Star
- Africa Star
- Italy Star
- Defence Medal
- War Medal 1939-1945
- New Zealand War Service Medal
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| Award Circumstances |
| DSO: NZ Gazette, 1 February 1945. Citation: "This officer commands C Company of this Battalion which on the night of 17/18 March 1944 was committed on a flanking attack from the eastern slopes of Monte Cassino upon strong points astride the enemy's line of reinforcement and supply for his garrison in Cassino. The attack was made at first light 18 March and although pressed vigorously was repulsed with heavy casualties owing to the strength of the defences. Major Reynolds was then instructed to hold Point 302 on Monte Cassino at all costs in order to protect the flank of Indian troops on Point 435 of the same feature and to interrupt as greatly as possible the flow of enemy supplies and reinforcements into the town. Soon afterwards the Company was isolated within the enemy lines by the recapture from our troops of Point 165. No supplies reached the Company until 23 March when a container of 80 'K' rations was dropped in the area. Communication was only by R/T and owing to loss of equipment by enemy action this could be used only at long intervals and then only for short periods. Casualties could not be evacuated and the bitterly cold nights added to the incessant hostile shelling, mortaring and sniping of the position made rest impossible. In these conditions Major Reynolds by his high sense of duty, his cheerfulness and determination, maintained the morale of his Company at the highest level and enabled it to inflict heavy casualties on the enemy. When ordered to do so, he withdrew his company successfully through enemy lines after covering the withdrawal of Indian troops on Point 435. In its withdrawal the Company had been forced to leave behind several seriously wounded. Major Reynolds arranged for their successful evacuation through enemy lines under a Red Cross flag, and in spite of his exhausted condition volunteered to lead the party of stretcher bearers personally." |
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| Biographical Notes |
- Husband of Beth; father of Christine, Tom, Ken
- General Staff Officer class 3 (GSOIII) (Ops) of 2 NZ Division, March - August 1943.
- Officer Commanding (OC) of 'C' Company, 24 Infantry Battalion, August 1943 - November 1944.
- Brigade Major (BM), 6 Brigade, November 1944 - June 1945.
- Reference is made to Jack Reynolds in the collection of letters of Richard McGregor Murray a copy of which is in the Museum Library. MS
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| Description of Image |
| Portrait, The Weekly News; 12 July 1944 awarded DSO |
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| Further References |
- Haigh, J., and Polaschek, A. (compilers). (1993). New Zealand and the Distinguished Service Order. Christchurch, The Authors.
- Burdon, R. (1959). p.31-2, 238-244.
- Taylor, A. (1998).p. 897.
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| Sources Used |
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 3 (Embarkations from 1st July, 1940 to 31st March, 1941)
- Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force Nominal Roll No. 14 (Embarkations from 1st April, 1944 to 31st December, 1944)
- Burdon, R. (1959). 24 Battalion. Wellington, Dept. of Internal Affairs, War History Branch.
- Taylor, A. (1998). The New Zealand roll of honour : New Zealanders who have served their country in peace and war : 150 years, 1845-1995. Auckland, Roll of Honour Publications.
- The Weekly News 1944
- Gisborne Herald
- New Zealand Herald
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