Name
Joseph Frederick Mead
Conflict
First World War
Date of Death / Age
23/08/1914
Rank, Service Number & Service Details
Lieutenant
-
London Regiment (Royal Fusiliers)
4th (City of London) Bn.
Awards: Service Medals/Honour Awards
Not Yet Researched
Cemetery/Memorial: Name/Reference/Country
ST. SYMPHORIEN MILITARY CEMETERY
V. B. 3
Belgium
Headstone Inscription
Not Researched
UK & Other Memorials
St Albans Citizens Memorial,
Town Hall (old) Memorial, St Albans,
St Peter's Church Memorial, St Albans,
Separate Memorial & Window, St Peter's Church, St Albans
Pre War
He was the eldest son of Frederick and Mary Ellen Mead of The Moorings, Althorp Road, St Albans, and he was the first man from Hertfordshire to be killed in World War One. Joseph was born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, in 1892, and was educated at Winchester School, where he was President of the Boat Club and twice won the Gold Medal for athletics.
After attending Sandhurst Military Academy, Joseph obtained a commission in the 4th Battalion Royal Fusiliers. A year later he gained his aviator’s certificate, with the intention of transferring to the newly formed Royal Flying Corps.
Wartime Service
The declaration of war against Germany put this on hold and as part of the regular British army Joseph and his battalion were quickly sent to Belgium. On August 23rd, a mere 19 days after the outbreak of the war, and only 24 hours after the first shot was fired by a British soldier six miles away at Casteau, Lieutenant Joseph Mead was killed.
His unit was attempting to defend a bridge over the Mons-Conde canal at Nimy, in the face of overwhelming numbers. Reports said that Joseph was wounded whilst bringing up reinforcements but quickly returned to his post after receiving treatment, only to be hit almost immediately by rifle fire.
Lieutenant Mead is buried in St Symphorien military cemetery near Mons.
Additional Information
Sadly, this was not the only tragedy to affect the Mead family. Joseph Mead’s younger brother Robert had enlisted in the 8th Service Battalion, Royal Fusiliers upon leaving Winchester School, and was sent to France at the end of May, 1915. He died of wounds at Armentieres on August 2nd, 1915, the day after a member of the digging party he was supervising accidently set off an unexploded bomb, killing Robert and injuring 13 others. Lieutenant Robert John Mead is buried in Cite Bonjean military cemetery, Armentieres.
Joseph's father died on to bear. Frederick Mead passed away on August 11th, 1915, aged 58 years, just 9 days after Joseph's brother was killed. Three years later in August, 1918, Frederick’s widow Mary commissioned a stained glass window in memory of her husband, and of her sons Joseph and Robert. The window and its inscription can still be seen in St Peter’s Church, St Albans.
Acknowledgments
Gareth Hughes, Peter Bradley
