Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Six: Chief Petty Officer T. Bodfield, Royal Navy, who was mentioned in despatches for gallant services on the occasion of the loss of the destroyer H.M.S. Defender in the Mediterranean in 1941 and for like services in the battleship Duke of York in 1943-44

1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star; Burma Star; War Medal 1939-45, M.I.D. oak leaf; Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.VI.R., 1st issue (J. 106283 T. Bodfield, P.O., H.M.S. Defender), very fine and better (6) £180-220

Thomas Bodfield, who was from Bude, received his first “mention” for services as a Petty Officer aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Defender (London Gazette 2 December 1941 refers), an award stemming from the occasion of her loss to enemy aircraft attack in the Mediterranean on 11 July 1941. A busy ship by any standards, Defender had already amassed seven Battle Honours by the time of her loss, namely those for Calabria 1940, and, in the following year, Crete, Greece, Libya, Malta Convoys, Matapan, and Spartivento.

Bodfield’s second “mention” - London Gazette 8 June 1944 refers - was for services as a Chief Petty Officer in the battleship H.M.S. Duke of York, so most likely for that ship’s part on the Arctic run.