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Auction: 23112 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 673

(x) The 'Royal Naval Air Station, H.M.S. Goshawk 1942' O.B.E., group of seven awarded to Lieutenant Commander J. R. Mead, Royal Navy who served in H.M.S Valiant during the Battle of Jutland

The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, (O.B.E.) Officer's Military Division, 2nd Type breast Badge, silver gilt; Queen's South Africa 1899-1902, no clasp (J. R. Mead, Ord. H.M.S. Forte);1914-15 Star (Gnr J. R. Mead R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. J. R. Mead); 1939-45 Defence and War Medals, unnamed as issued, very fine (7)

O.B.E. London Gazette 11 June 1942.

John Robert Mead a native of Tynemouth, Northumberland was born on 6 April 1882. Enlisting in the Royal Navy in October 1897, he served on H.M.S. Forte during the Boer War. 'Forte' was an Astrea class cruiser and served on the Cape and West African stations. Mead was promoted to the rank of Gunner on 14 May 1910. Further service followed on H.M.S. Commonwealth between 1911 and 1916 ,he transferred to H.M.S. Valiant on 26 February 1916.

Upon completion on 19 February 1916, under Captain Maurice Woollcombe, H.M.S.Valiant joined the recently formed Fifth Battle Squadron of the Grand Fleet. In an attempt to lure part of the Grand Fleet out of its ports and destroy it, the German High Seas Fleet, consisting of 16 battleships, 6 battle cruisers, and other ships, left Wilhelmshaven early on the morning of 31 May. The plan called for Hipper to leave Wilhelmshaven with the battlecruisers of the 1st and the light cruisers of the 2nd Reconnaissance Group and push north out of sight of the Danish coast. There he was to provoke a departure of British ships by attacking coastal towns and lure them toward the High Seas Fleet. By 3: 05, the 5th Battle Squadron had reached a distance to attack the German light cruisers. By 3: 08, the 5th Battle Squadron had reached the rear of the German battlecruisers and Valiant opened fire on the SMS Moltke which received one hit. The situation changed when the German battleships came into view at 3: 40. Since Beatty had failed to sufficiently signal his intentions when he turned north, the battleships of the 5th Battle Squadron were on an opposite course past the battlecruisers and headed directly for the approaching main body of the High Seas Fleet. At 3: 48 Scheer opened fire on the British battleships. Valiant managed to avoid hits and in turn fired on three German ships from a distance of 14 to 16 kilometers at 4: 30. Valiant continued to participate in the battle until the enemy came out of sight at a distance of 17 kilometers at about 5:02.

Mead was commissioned as Lieutenant on 1 March 1918 and Lieutenant Commander 1 March 1926. Recalled for service during the Second World War, Mead is recorded as Lieutenant Commander (retired) H.M.S. Peregrine 20 September 1939.

It can be presumed that he was present at the base on 18 August 1940 when it came under attack from a formation of German Stuka dive bombers, he is then transferred to H.M.S. Daedalus on 1 October 1940 and to H.M.S. Goshawk the Royal Naval Air Station at Trinidad on 12 October 1940, where he remains until 2 November 1945 before taking up his last appointment at H.M.S. Orlando, the shore establishment and gunnery school in Scotland.

There is glowing reference to Mead in his service record, 'he is a remarkable man, who though over 60 has the energy and alertness of a much younger man'.

Mead died in Sussex on 14 June 1964.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£420

Starting price
£180