Wartime Nurse. During the Peninsular War she became known as the ‘Heroine of Matagorda' for her outstanding bravery in an early phase of the Siege of Cadiz. Her husband James was a sergeant in the 94th Regiment of Foot and when he was posted to Spain she accompanied him to a small fort at Matagorda, near Cadiz. Under two months of heavy bombardment she helped care for the wounded and assisted the surgeon in dressing the wounded men. She collected and handed out water, carried sandbags and helped issue ammunition. When other women were removed to safety she refused to go and stayed until the withdrawal of the French forces which allowed the fort to receive fresh ammunition. Eventually the British garrison were able to withdraw to the fleet. After her husband's discharge some officers suggested to that she apply for support and The Commander-in-Chief warmly recommended her case to the Secretary of War. However, he judged that there were no funds at his disposal for such a purpose. When she was widowed she was reduced to pauperism and became an inmate of the Town's Hospital in Glasgow. Having previously gained a livelihood as a sick nurse and in view of her past history a committee of officers launched an appeal for "this truly valiant and deserving, though sadly neglected woman". Amongst the subscribers to the appeal were Queen Victoria and the dowager Queen Adelaide, although ninety per cent of the subscriptions came from the military. Although the appeal provided enough funds for her independence she remained in the hospital and paid for her board. After setting aside sufficient for her funeral expenses, after she died everything left she gave to charity.
Wartime Nurse. During the Peninsular War she became known as the ‘Heroine of Matagorda' for her outstanding bravery in an early phase of the Siege of Cadiz. Her husband James was a sergeant in the 94th Regiment of Foot and when he was posted to Spain she accompanied him to a small fort at Matagorda, near Cadiz. Under two months of heavy bombardment she helped care for the wounded and assisted the surgeon in dressing the wounded men. She collected and handed out water, carried sandbags and helped issue ammunition. When other women were removed to safety she refused to go and stayed until the withdrawal of the French forces which allowed the fort to receive fresh ammunition. Eventually the British garrison were able to withdraw to the fleet. After her husband's discharge some officers suggested to that she apply for support and The Commander-in-Chief warmly recommended her case to the Secretary of War. However, he judged that there were no funds at his disposal for such a purpose. When she was widowed she was reduced to pauperism and became an inmate of the Town's Hospital in Glasgow. Having previously gained a livelihood as a sick nurse and in view of her past history a committee of officers launched an appeal for "this truly valiant and deserving, though sadly neglected woman". Amongst the subscribers to the appeal were Queen Victoria and the dowager Queen Adelaide, although ninety per cent of the subscriptions came from the military. Although the appeal provided enough funds for her independence she remained in the hospital and paid for her board. After setting aside sufficient for her funeral expenses, after she died everything left she gave to charity.
Bio by: Peter Cox
Inscription
In memory of James Reston, late serjeant 94th Regiment, who died on the 24th day of October, 1834, aged 63 years, and of Agnes Harkness, his wife, "The Heroine of Matagorda", who died 24 December 1856, aged 85 years.
Family Members
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