Allegiance United Kingdom Name Herbert Reed Rank Bombardier | Years of service 1939-1941 Service/branch British Army | |
Died 20 June 1940 (aged 30)
The North Sea aboard SS Cormount Buried at Bishopwearmouth Cemetery, Sunderland | ||
The platters with the voice of herbert reed on the top of my mind
Bombardier Henry Herbert Reed GC, known as Herbert Reed, of No. 2 Battalion, 1 Maritime Anti-Aircraft Regiment, Royal Artillery (1911 – 20 June 1941) was posthumously awarded the George Cross for the "gallant and utterly selfless action" he showed after the merchant ship SS Cormount was attacked by German E-boats and planes on 20 June 1940.
Contents
- The platters with the voice of herbert reed on the top of my mind
- The platters by herbert reed in in a little spanish town
- 20 June 1941
- George Cross citation
- References
The platters by herbert reed in in a little spanish town
20 June 1941
The ship was raked by machine-gun fire from the attacking planes, and Reed, who had volunteered to man anti-aircraft guns on merchant shipping, had suffered a mortal stomach wound. Despite his injuries, he rescued the injured Chief Officer from the badly damaged bridge and carried him down two sets of ladders to safety. He also managed to move an injured steward to cover before dying minutes later of his wounds. The ship survived the attack, despite being struck by an air-launched torpedo.
He was also posthumously awarded the Lloyd's War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
George Cross citation
Reeds' George Cross citation appeared in the London Gazette on 23 September 1941:
The King has been graciously pleased to award the George Cross to: Henry Herbert Reed (deceased), Gunner.
The ship was attacked by enemy aircraft with cannon, machine‑guns and bombs. She replied at once with her defensive armament and the men at the guns went on firing despite the hail of bullets and cannon shell. Gunner Reed behaved with the utmost gallantry. He was badly wounded but when the Master asked how he was, he said that he would carry on. The Chief Officer was also badly wounded. Reed carried him from the bridge down two ladders to the deck below and placed him in shelter near a lifeboat. Gunner Reed then died. It was afterwards found that his stomach had been ripped open by machine‑gun bullets.
Gunner Reed's George Cross is currently held by the National Army Museum in Chelsea, London.