A Bradford historian has completed his painstaking research into an unsung war hero whose details were found in a skip in late 2000.

Andrew Bolt, of Allerton, started piecing together the life of Bradford sailor Reginald Weeks after the discovery of a framed war memorial in a bin in Daisy Hill, Bradford.

Mr Bolt said: “It would appear to be a much-neglected story from the First World War that would make a fantastic Hollywood movie.”

Reginald, who died at the age of 22, served with the Royal Navy in World War One and was among those who volunteered for the surprise assault on the German army and navy in Zeebrugge, Belgium, on April 23, 1918.

They went into action on HMS Vindictive for a bloody battle during which the majority of them were killed or wounded.

Mr Bolt said: “This is where my research drops into the story. After uncovering a local war memorial, I discovered only one Royal Naval casualty in the Allerton and Daisy Hill area, Able Seaman Reginald Weeks of 33 Agar Street, Girlington, Bradford. “He seemed to be alone when it came to his fellow fallen heroes on the memorial. I decided to delve deeper into his background.”

It transpired that Reginald was born in Wakefield in 1896 to a Harry and Sarah Ann Weeks. His father was a domestic gardener and this was what brought the family to Bradford. They were later found to be living at 23, Shaftsbury Avenue, Chellow Dene, Bradford. The house was situated at the side of a large Victorian house with vast gardens. Mr Bolt’s research shows that Reginald joined the Royal Navy in 1914 and served on many ships before moving on to the Vindictive, training on the Ganges before moving on to the Grafton. His other ships were the HMS Pembroke, HMS London, HMS Formidable, HMS Implacable, HMS Repulse and HMS Hindustan.

Mr Bolt said: “He fitted the requirements to volunteer for this attack on Zeebrugge and headed to Chatham Docks to secure a place on the mission. This was to be his last ship and his bravest moment for such a short career.”

Shortly before midnight, the convoy of 76 vessels, hiding behind a cloud of smoke and packed with 1,700 volunteers, reached their destination.

The surprise was still intact until the artificial smoke was blown off course, uncovering the might of the Vindictive and its crew. The Germans fired with ferocity at the ship.

When the eastwardly tide dropped, landing bridges were left almost vertical against the landing site walls. Men fell from heavy machine gun fire before the ship had reached the landing site, the defences of the Vindictive only offered small amounts of protection. Reginald was ranked as a Gunner and was later listed in a role of honour book as being with the 4th Royal Marine Battalion.

Mr Bolt, who explained that the Vindictive was a diversion to allow others to land safely, said: “The diversion had worked although at a great cost to human life. A total of 161 men died on that night.

“HMS Vindictive returned home filled with tired and wounded men. The dead lay silent but probably grateful to those that brought them back home and not left on the Mole.”

Reginald was among those who came home on May 23, 1918, wounded but alive. He was taken to the Chatham Military Hospital and may have even talked to the King who visited the wounded the next day. It is recorded that Reginald took part in the ballot for the VC that Albert Mckenzie won for the bravery that day. Only one could be issued even though the King stated that all the men deserved such an award for their bravery.

Reginald died on May, 24, 1918, aged 22, of his wounds.

His body was transported back to Bradford on the May 29. His name can be found in Lady Hill Park, Allerton, on the war memorial.

The raid brought a limited amount of success. Mr Bolt said: “Reginald should be remembered as that unsung hero that played such an important role in such a dramatic event of the First World War.”

The bow of the Vindictive can still be seen in the harbour of Zeebrugge. After being scrapped in the 1940s, a monument was created using the bow of the ship.

A monument can also be seen near the Wallasy Tunnel in Liverpool to commemorate the brave Marines and the two ferry boats used in the raid.

Reginald is buried in Scholemoor Cemetery with his sister Rose Fletcher who died around 1985 at an advanced age.

e-mail: will.kilner @telegraphandargus.co.uk