Call for Sunderland hero to be awarded Victoria Cross - 85 years after he was given the 'wrong' honour
‘I think an injustice has been done’
An avid historian is calling for a Sunderland hero to finally be given his rightful honour - 85 years after he saved two men while under machine gun fire on board a ship.
And if it happens, Bombardier Henry Herbert Reed would become the only Wearsider ever to receive the Victoria Cross for their World War 2 bravery.
Hartlepool man Michael Beard has been a keen researcher of the region’s history since he was 5 years old. But one particular story has left him intrigued and it is the tale of Bombardier Reed who, Michael believes, has been given the wrong honour.
“I think someone thought he was a merchant seaman instead of being in the Army,” said Michael, “hence the mistake on the rear of his George Cross.”
The Sunderland Echo has followed the story of Bombardier Reed for decades.
He was a member of the 2nd Battalion, 1st Maritime Anti Aircraft Regiment, 1stMarine Regiment, Royal Artillery. He was born in Sunderland, and was unmarried.
The former Binns shop assistant hauled his injured chief officer to safety as their ship, SS Cormount, came under German attack in June 1941.
Henry, whose stomach had been ripped open by Nazi machine-gun bullets, was posthumously awarded the George Cross and Lloyd’s War Medal for Bravery at Sea.
The vessel he was on was one of the famous Liberty ships that were designed by Thompsons in Sunderland and were instrumental in transporting food and war supplies all around the world, said Mr Beard.
He has kindly added more detail to the tale and told us: “I looked online at the details of the action and found that Reed actually helped two persons who were badly wounded. The first must have been a steward by the name of Chalker who was manning a Lewis gun on the opposite end of the bridge wing.
“He was hit and Reed moved him away to the nearby cover of a lifeboat. Then he carried the Ch Officer, Davies down the two sets of ladders to shelter on the lower deck. All the while whilst his stomach was torn open by shrapnel/cannon/bullet fragments.
“He succumbed to his injuries before he could regain his position on the Hotchkiss machine gun on the bridge wing. I do believe he was intent on returning to this position when he died as that was the only armament still being capable of being fired.”
Mr Beard highlighted a book he read by Philip Elphick called 'Liberty', which questioned why Reed was awarded the GC instead of the VC.
He also viewed Reed’s medal at the British Army Museum and said: “On the reverse it clearly states that he was in the Merchant Navy. He was not. He was in the Royal Artillery serving on a merchant ship. The criteria for the George Cross states that it is awarded to persons away from direct enemy action.
“The George Cross is the equivalent to the Victoria Cross. But most people will understandably view the Victoria Cross as the greatest gift the country can bestow on military personnel.
“I feel that an injustice has been done. If Reed had been awarded the VC, he would have been the only son of Sunderland to have been awarded one during the Second World War, Streets and buildings may of been named after him. Sunderland would have been very proud.
“I would like him to receive the VC as I think an injustice has been done. It would be great if the City of Sunderland, the Mayors office and the Sunderland Echo got behind this and right a wrong.”