TNA ADM 199 790

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FROM
The Commanding Officer, D/C Unit.
233
DATE
15th June 1940.
25
TO
The Captain, H.M.S. EXCELLENT.
Lieutenant R.H. Mead, R.N.V.R.
I regret who to report the death of Lieutenant
Mead, R.N.V.R. 1940, at 2108, was killed in action at Dunkirk on R.H. Saturday,
1st June or was wounded and died later.
2.
H.M. D/C to the M.B. had been reported out of action
31st May 1940, and Duty Staff Officer, Staff of Flag p.m. Officer
commanding Dover, the Commanding Officer and Lieutenant
Mead were ordered to find themselves boats if possible, and to
assume command.
3.
Lieutenant Mead had assumed command of R.N.L.B.
WALTON AND FRINTON, and having been towed across to near Dun-
I.B.
kirk with other small boats, had pressed on to Dunkirk, unaccom-
panied except by one other boat, the remainder of the small
boats having turned back. This can be clearly seen from the
extracts of the log kept in the boat, a copy of which has
already been forwarded to the Flag Officer-in-Charge, Dover,
through the Officer Commanding Rescue Boats.
an
4.
While in the harbour itself, a shrapnel shell burst
on the water nearby, killing Lieutenant Mead. The remainder
ope
of the life-boat's crew, under a Lieutenant R.N.R. from the
Tug SUN IV continued ferrying soldiers to larger ships until
tian
0423, when Tug SUN IV towed the boat back to Ramsgate.
5.
The two members of my crew who accompanied Lieutenant
led
Mead, Petty Officer Telegraphist Cooley and Able Seaman MacManus,
have informed me that the "determination and guts" of Lieutenant
Mead in persisting in his efforts to rally the smaller boats
and to push on to Dunkirk, were outstanding. This was reported
by me to the Staff Officer of the Rescue boats at Dover, who
interviewed the crew, and has a copy of the log of the life-boat.
ced
6.
I understand that the boat underwent many air attacks
ops
from the time that the tow came within about 20 miles of the
it.
coast.
7.
This report is submitted in order to confirm that the
ant
gallantry of Lieutenant R.H. Mead, (as previously reported by me,
pa,
ade
P.T.O.
Note:- During the above operations the "Cordelia being 18 was
working with Sport engine only - which, owing to were
overworked, seized up. Estimated that 300 beach. troops
carried by "Cordelia" and whaler from the
1100 Taken in tow by the G.R.1740 (drifter) and
proceeded towards Dover.
1130) Shelled by shore
2030 1145) Entered batteries. Dover Harbour and tied up at Prince of
Wales Pier (Inner Harbour).
2100 Reported to LYNX office.
Friday/