Henry Herbert Reed
Encyclopedia
Bombardier Henry Herbert Reed GC
of the Royal Artillery
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-boat
s and planes on the 20th of June 1940.
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. He had been born in Sunderland in 1911.
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
of the Royal Artillery
Royal Artillery
The Royal Regiment of Artillery, commonly referred to as the Royal Artillery , is the artillery arm of the British Army. Despite its name, it comprises a number of regiments.-History:...
was posthumously awarded the George Cross
George Cross
The George Cross is the highest civil decoration of the United Kingdom, and also holds, or has held, that status in many of the other countries of the Commonwealth of Nations...
for the "gallant and utterly selfless action" he showed after the merchant ship, SS Cormount, was attacked by German E-boat
E-boat
E-boats was the designation for Motor Torpedo Boats of the German Navy during World War II. It is commonly held that the E stood for Enemy....
s and planes on the 20th of June 1940.
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
Lloyd's of London
Lloyd's, also known as Lloyd's of London, is a British insurance and reinsurance market. It serves as a partially mutualised marketplace where multiple financial backers, underwriters, or members, whether individuals or corporations, come together to pool and spread risk...
War Medal for Bravery at Sea. He had been born in Sunderland in 1911.