Reginald Waye was born on 17 August 1916, the son of Richard and Constance Mabel Waye, of Hayes, Middlesex.

He joined the Royal Navy on 15 September 1932 and was rated AB Telegraphist in 1935, serving in HMS RESOLUTION, HMS APOLLO and a number of shore establishments.  He was rated Acting Leading Telegraphist in November 1939.  He trained for submarine service at HMS DOLPHIN from May 1940 to August 1940, and was appointed to HMS TRIUMPH in August 1940.

Reg was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, for “zeal, courage and steadfast devotion to duty in fourteen war patrols and special operations” and for taking part in the firefighting aboard a merchantman laden with ammunition, bombed and on fire in Malta dockyard (London Gazette of 5 May 1942).

He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial, Panel 59, Column 2.