Lt Reginald Hounsham MEAD, Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve: 02/06/1940

MEAD, Reginald H, Ty/Lieutenant, RNVR (HMS Excellent), [DOVER (ST. JAMES'S) CEMETERY]

During operations in support of the Dunkirk whilst onboard lifeboat E.M.E.D, Lt Mead was fatally wounded, apparently by artillery fire. He was transferred to HMS Niger, but died from his wounds.

Does anybody have anymore information about this incident or the lifeboat?

Regards,

Steve

 

states here he was aboard the Walton and Frinton Life boat

Dunkirk


LIEUTENANT REGINALD HOUNSHAM MEAD
Regiment & Unit/Ship
Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve

H.M.S. Excellent.

Date of Death
Died 02 June 1940

Age 36 years old

Buried or commemorated at
DOVER (ST. JAMES'S) CEMETERY

Row B. Joint grave 8.

United Kingdom

• Country of ServiceUnited Kingdom
• Additional InfoSon of Frank and Clare Mead; husband of Winifred Margaret Mead, of Fulbrook, Oxfordshire.
• Personal InscriptionHE DIED THAT OTHERS MIGHT LIVE

 

Dunkirk evacuation[edit]


Whilst taking part a shell killed the officer in charge of the lifeboat.[14] The lifeboat sustained some damage in the operation, but when repaired, she returned to Walton and Frinton


In May 1940 the Walton and Frinton crew manned the E.M.E.D. after they had been instructed to take the lifeboat to Dover. She arrived at the port on 31 May. She was needed, along with 17 other RNLI lifeboats, to help in the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and the French Army from Dunkirk. Much to the disappointment of the crew, the lifeboat was then immediately commandeered by the Royal Navy and given to the Navy to crew. E.M.E.D. had a moderate draft which made her particularly suitable for the task of transporting hundreds of men from the beaches out to the big ships waiting to evacuate them back to England. The lifeboat along with others was towed across the English Channel by a drifter. Working inside Dunkirk harbour E.M.E.D. survived three enemy air attacks off Gravelines which destroyed boats with which she was in tow.[14] E.M.E.D. got back to Dover with a rope around her propeller.[14] This was removed and she returned to France where she remained until the evacuation was completed. Whilst taking part a shell killed the officer in charge of the lifeboat.[14] The lifeboat sustained some damage in the operation, but when repaired, she returned to Walton and Frinton. During the Second World War the E.M.E.D. lifeboat was launched a total of 57 times and is credited with saving 20 lives.[4]
Walton and Frinton Lifeboat Station - Wikipedia

 

Thanks for that information. I see that Lt Mead isn't mentioned by name, but as he was onboard E.M.E.D. he must be the 'officer in charge' that the report refers to.

Regards,

Steve

 

Steve he is mentioned in the link
Also wonder if he is on the RNLI roll of honour at the lifeboat station

Just tried to call them but no answer
Walton & Frinton RNLI | The Royal National Lifeboat Institution - Saving Lives at Sea.