Raymond Steed

Raymond Victor Steed (1 October 1928 – 26 April 1943) was the second youngest British services recruit to die during the Second World War. He was just 14 years and 207 days old when the ship on which he was a galley boy, SS Empire Morn, was blown up after it hit a U-boat mine on 26 April 1943. He was previously described by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission as "the youngest known British services death,"

Early life Raymond Steed, the son of steelworker Wilfred and his wife Olive (née Bright), was born on 1 October 1928, at Rimperley Terrace, St Mellons, Monmouthshire, Wales. He was one of nine children. The family later moved to Christchurch Road, Newport, near Cardiff. Steed left the ship three months later, in March 1943, to join the SS Empire Morn. started on 4 April 1943. The ship sailed from Milford Haven on that day, loaded with military equipment destined for Casablanca and Gibraltar. She arrived at Casablanca on 25 April, and then set off for Gibraltar. At 9:45 p.m. on 26 April 1943, the ship hit a U-boat mine off Rabat, Morocco at .

Towed back into Casablanca, the damaged ship was expected to be declared a "total constructive loss"; however, it was refloated and towed to Gibraltar, by the tugs Lorient and Schelde, eventually arriving on 1 September 1943.

Steed and Gardener were buried at Ben M'Sik European Cemetery in Casablanca, Morocco, on 29 April with full military honours.

Memorial appeal A fund-raising appeal was launched to pay for a memorial statue for Steed in his home city of Newport in 2007. The appeal has been supported by the Merchant Navy Association, the city council and Uskmouth Power Community Chest.