Carew Reynell (winemaker)

Carew Reynell (16 September 1883 – 27 August 1915) was an Australian winemaker. He was born into the pioneering wine making Reynell family of Reynella, South Australia.^[1] His grandfather, John Reynell, established wine making in the region shortly after the settlement of South Australia.^[2]

At the age of 19, Reynell took over his family's winery from his father. He substantially improved the winery and increased its size. His distillery produced Reynella Hospital Brandy, which soon became the leading hospital brandy in Australia.^[1]

A member of the pre-war militia, from 1908 Reynell served as an officer in several South Australian light horse units including the 16th and 22nd Light Horse Regiments, reaching the rank of major by 1914. Shortly after the outbreak of the First World War, Reynell volunteered to serve in the Australian Imperial Force and was appointed as a major in the 9th Light Horse Regiment. During the Gallipoli Campaign, he took command of the regiment after its commanding officer was killed at the Battle of the Nek. Promoted to lieutenant colonel, he was killed shortly after on 27 August at the Battle of Hill 60.^[1] He was posthumously mentioned in dispatches on 5 November 1915.^[3]

Reynell had one son, Richard Carew Reynell who became a fighter and test pilot, and died in combat during the Battle of Britain almost 25 years to the day after he was killed at Gallipoli.

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