WW2 NEW ZEALAND HMNZS ACHILLES (BATTLE OF THE RIVER PLATE) DSM GROUP TO SERGEANT FRANK SAUNDERS

WW2 Distinguished Service Medal Group for Sinking of the Graaf Spee to Sergeant Frank Saunders, H.M.N.Z.S. ACHILLES.

Distinguished Service Medal Group of Eight to 22053 Sergeant Frank Thomas Saunders, H.M.N.Z.S Achilles, Royal Marines, Royal New Zealand Navy.

Frank won his D.S.M in the Battle of the River Plate (Graff Spee) and was later Killed in Action off Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands on the 5th January, 1943.

D.S.M. (22053 F T SAUNDERS SGT R M), 1939-45 Star, Atlantic Star, Pacific Star, 1939/45 War Medal, NZ War Service Medal, Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (P LY. 22053 F.T. SAUNDERS. SGT. R.M.) and New Zealand Memorial Cross (original but unnamed).

Frank served in HMS ACHILLES during the Battle of the River Plate and was subsequently killed in action off Guadalcanal in January 1943. Ply/22053 Colour Sgt Frank Thomas Saunders transferred to the New Zealand Division in the Atlantic Fleet on 31 May 1927.

He posted to HMS ACHILLES in Portsmouth on 27 Jan 1939 as the Royal Marine gunner Colour Sergeant in X Turret and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal at the Battle of the River Plate when the cruiser ‘Achilles opened fire on the German ‘pocket battleship’ Admiral Graf Spee in the South Atlantic, at 6.21 am on 13 December 1939, it became the first New Zealand unit to strike a blow at the enemy in the Second World War. With the New Zealand ensign flying proudly from her mainmast - as battle loomed, a signalman had run aft with the ensign shouting ‘Make way for the Digger flag!’ - Achilles became the first New Zealand warship to take part in a naval battle.’

He remained in HMS ACHILLES when she returned to New Zealand and met his future wife, Ivy from Wellington. They married in Auckland in October, 1941 and settled at 8 Alexander Street in the married quarters in Devonport. On 5 January 1943, the now HMNZS ACHILLES was attacked by Japanese bombers while escorting troop convoys and operating against Japanese forces in the Southwest Pacific.

Colour Sgt Frank Saunders, in charge of X Turret, and twelve of his gun crew were killed instantly when X Turret took a direct hit. They were all buried at sea.

See file included for the full story of the sinking of the Graaf Spee at the Battle of the River Plate and full story on Frank Saunders. Amazing story and service.
After the Battle of The River Plate in December 1939, the Achilles returned to New Zealand. The NZ Government held a Medal Ceremony in Wellington where Frank was awarded his DSM in January 1940 at just about the same time the award was gazetted in the UK. His DSM was named by the Navy at the Auckland Dockyards.

There were only 32 DSM awards to members of the NZ naval forces (Michael Maton; Honour the Navies).

Code: 50872