Most Excellent order of the British Empire, Military Division, O.B.E.; Naval General Service Medal clasp Palestine 1936-39 (SCHLMR. P.F. KINGSWOOD. R.N.); Africa Star; Defence Medal; War Medal 1939-45
Percy Frank Kingswood was born in Oakham, Lancashire in 1906. A schoolmaster by profession, he was employed in that capacity by the Royal Navy with whom he enlisted for service. He was aboard the Merchant Steamer Bodegraven when that vessel was sunk by U Boat on 2.7.1944 - he is listed among the survivors who were put adrift in a lifeboat and made it to shore whilst the U-Boat took her Master prisoner.
At 01.30 hours on 2 July 1944 the unescorted Bodegraven (Master B.A. Molenaar) was hit on the port side in the engine room by a torpedo from U-547 about 200 miles south of Monrovia (Liberia). The ship stopped and settled by the stern, sinking after 12 minutes. One lifeboat had been destroyed by the explosion, so the 63 crew members and 48 passengers had to abandon ship in the three remaining lifeboats. The Germans then questioned the survivors and took the master as prisoner on board.
The survivors in one lifeboat made landfall at the coast of Grand Bassa and the others were rescued by warships from Freetown. Three crewmen on watch below and six passengers were lost.
A long-serving man, he was awarded the O.B.E. in the London Gazette of 10.6.1961 by which time he was an Instructor Commander.
According to the 1939 Register he was a Schoolmaster based at HMS Drake living at 19 Dunstone Road, Plymouth. He died in Yeovil, Somerset in June 1983.
Medals are in good condition unless otherwise indicated.
