Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Chief Petty Officer R. F. Body, Royal Navy, who was twice mentioned in despatches during the Second World War, and was killed in action when H.M.S. Welshman was torpedoed and sunk off Tobruk on 1 February 1943

1914-15 Star (J.26209. R. F. Body. Tel. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (J.26209. R. F. Body. L.Tel. R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (J.26209. R. F. Body. P.O. Tel. H.M.S. Pembroke.) mounted for wear, edge bruises, contact marks, polished, fair (4) £100-£140

M.I.D. London Gazettes 1 January 1943 and 11 May 1943.

Robert Frederick Body, a clerk from Mile End, London, was born on 10 December 1895. He attested as a Boy into the Royal Navy on 13 August 1913 and saw service afloat during the Great War in H.M.S. Latuna, H.M.S. Caroline, H.M.S. Cyclops, H.M.S. Antrim and H.M.S. Thuster. Serving post-War, he was advanced Petty Officer on 7 July 1923 and was awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 18 January 1929, whilst aboard H.M.S. Pembroke. Further advanced Chief Petty Officer on 1 June 1934, he was discharged to pension on 9 December 1935.

Recalled for Second World War service, Body was twice mentioned in despatches, but was killed whilst serving in H.M.S. Welshman when she was sunk after being torpedoed off Tobruk by U-617 on 1 February 1943. He has no known grave and is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.

Sold together with cloth cap badge, cloth trade badge, medal ribbon bar and copied research.