Lives of the First World War

There are 9 unidentified burials of the Zeebrugge Raid, and these 9 are inscribed on a Special Memorial on the Cross of Sacrifice in the Zeebrugge Plot at St James Cemetery in Dover

IWM Catalogue number: FEQ 91 Department: Exhibits http://www.iwm.org.uk/collections/item/object/30028294

Eyewitness account of William Smith, listed as missing in action

....I deeply regret to inform you.... it has been ascertained thet your son was killed by the explosion of a shell whilst on board H.M.S. "IRIS II"during the operations off the Belgian coast on the 23rd. ultimo. This report is based upon a statement by a Petty Officer named Wenham[sic] belonging to H.M.S. "KING GEORGE V" who says that he actually saw your son's body after his death...

Under the terms of clause 13 of the VC statutes, in cases where a body of men was deemed to have been so gallant, the best way to select VCs was by a ballot, enabling the men themselves to decide. Following on from a ballot for the Royal Marine participants, a ballot was held for the Royal Navy participants. These latter were the ships crews of Vindictive, Iris II, Daffodil, as well as the 200 men of the Naval Storming Party. Captain Carpenter of the Vindictive, and AB McKenzie who belonged to B Company of the seaman storming party, were awarded the VC as a result of the ballot. Unfortunately, the six page list does not break out the parties by company and embarked ship.