Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Three: Leading Stoker P. Summerson, Royal Navy, who served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Broke during the latter stages of the Great War, and was part of the ship’s crew of H.M.S. Iron Duke when it was attacked in Scapa Flow in 1939 and 1940, before deserting while serving in the United States in 1944

British War and Victory Medals (S.S.118171 P. Summerson. Sto. 2 R.N.); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 3rd issue, coinage head (K.62505 P. Summerson. L. Sto. H.M.S. Royal Sovereign.) contact marks, good fine or better (3) £80-£120

Percival Summerson was born in Durham in March 1900. He enlisted into the Royal Navy on the 30 May 1918 as a Stoker Second Class and served aboard the destroyer H.M.S Broke for the remainder of the Great War. He transferred to the Royal Fleet Reserve in June 1923, but reenlisted into the Royal Navy again the following October. He was awarded a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal in February 1934, whilst serving aboard the battleship H.M.S. Royal Sovereign.

On the outbreak of the Second War, Summerson was serving as a Leading Stoker with the battleship H.M.S. Iron Duke and was part of the ship’s company when it was attacked and damaged by Luftwaffe aircraft in Scapa Flow in October 1939 and March 1940. He later served aboard the destroyer H.M.S. Vivern and in December 1943 he was assigned to H.M.S. Saker, the base for Royal Navy personnel in the United States. He then deserted his ship, the frigate H.M.S. Anguilla, and once apprehended was demoted from Stoker Petty Officer to Leading Stoker. Summerson then went onto serve aboard the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Indomitable, the landing ship H.M.S. Persimmon, and the frigate H.M.S. Burgess. He was released from the Navy in September 1945.