Charles Mead

Killed in Action on the 25/04/1918 (missing in the field from that date) at the 2nd Battle of Kemmel (part of the Battles of the Lys)

The 12th (Service) Battalion Royal Scots arrived in France in May 1915 and were part of the 27th Brigade, 9th (Scottish) Division. Charles initially enlisted in the Royal Navy on the 16/08/1915. He was dismissed after a month for declaring a false age having said he was 28 when he was really only 16. Charles embarked for France with the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) and was transferred to the Royal Scots, He joined his unit in France on the 09/04/1918 just in time for the start of the great German Offensive and was declared missing just 2 weeks after arriving at the front. He is listed as MISSING from the 25/04/1918 (11 days after his 19th birthday). Charles fell at the 2nd Battle of Kemmel, 25th - 26th April 1918. This was part of the Battles of the Lys, 9th April - 29th April 1918 : The third German offensive Operation Georgette takes place in Flanders with the objective of capturing key railway and supply roads and cutting off British Second Army at Ypres. After initial successes the German attack is once again held after British and French reserves are somehow found and deployed. See Directory for Charles' cousin Peter O'Hare's page. Charles is listed as SCOTTISH RIFLES on the Memorial. This was his former Regiment the 13th (Service) Battalion Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) - 38470). Charles is also remembered in the St. Patrick's Church (book) Roll of Honour. Charles was reburied in Messines Ridge Cemetery (see photos). See photos for Charles' Medal Index Card, his Army Register of Soldiers Effects, his Service Medal and Award Rolls, his CWGC Grave Registration x 2, his Headstone Report x 2, his Reburial Form, Charles' Pension Records x 2, his Service Records x 20, his previous Regiment the Cameronians (Scottish Rifles) Cap Badge and the Royal Scots Cap Badge. Charles' grave inscription reads "SWEET HEART OF JESUS HAVE MERCY ON HIM OUR LADY OF LOURDES PRAY FOR HIM".