Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Five: Commander F. G. S. Peile, Royal Navy Transport Staff, who served as Naval Transport Officer at the French port of Le Havre in 1914, and as Consular Shipping Advisor (Naval Control Service Duties), Monte Video in August 1939, and was present in that role aiding the British Ambassador Millington Drake when the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee put into Monte Video following the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939

1914 Star (Cmmdr. F. G. S. Peile, R.N. Transport Staff.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Cmmr. F. G. S. Peile. R.N.); Defence and War Medals 1939-45, with R.N. Transport bullion cap badge, and gilt badges for R.N. & M.T. Headquarters Staff dated 1913 (numbered 11 on reverse) and 1914 (numbered 112 on reverse) respectively, generally good very fine (5) £500-£700

Frederick Gerald Stuart Peile was born in Lucknow, India in January 1881. The son of Major Peile of Broomhill, Inverness-shire, Scotland. Peile entered the Royal Naval College as a Cadet in January 1895, and having passed out was appointed Midshipman for service with H.M.S. Resolution in February 1897. Subsequent service included with H.M. Ships Powerful and Mars, and Peile advanced to Sub Lieutenant in August 1900. He was appointed to the command of the torpedo boat destroyer H.M.S. Brazen in May 1901, and advanced to Lieutenant in October the following year.

Peile was appointed Navigating Lieutenant to H.M.S. Torch in March 1903, and having served with the her on the Australian Station for three years returned to be based at Devonport. He was appointed as an instructor at H.M.S. Dryad (navigation training school), and was awarded the Shadwell Testimonial Prize in 1906. Peile subsequently served at H.M.S. Cornwall (training ship for naval cadets), and advanced to Lieutenant Commander in October 1910. He studied German, and qualified as an interpreter in 1912, before being posted for War Staff and Intelligence Duties at the Admiralty and then lent to the War Office for similar duties.

Peile advanced to Commander in June 1914, and following the declaration of war with Germany was appointed to H.M.S. President ‘For Special Transport Duties.’ He was employed as Naval Transport Officer at the French port of Le Havre, and received ‘their Lordships’ appreciation of his services to the Army at the beginning of the war.’

Peile returned to the UK in September 1914, and was appointed to the recently launched battleship H.M.S. Empress of India. He was recalled from service afloat to be posted as an interpreter at H.M.S. Vivid in January 1916, and in April of the same year was posted as a Staff Officer 2nd Grade in the Operations Division of the Admiralty. Peile subsequently spent several periods in hospital over the next two years, and the Commander in Chief at the Nore stopped his wine bill for exceeding the limit! Following an adverse medical report Peile was placed on the retired list, 11 September 1918.

Peile applied to the Foreign Office for an appointment on the Danube or Dardanelles Commission in 1921, and was subsequently appointed for work with the Upper Silesia Plebiscite Commission. He was appointed as Consular Shipping Advisor (Naval Control Service Duties), Monte Video in August 1939, and was present in that role aiding the British Ambassador Millington Drake when the German pocket battleship Admiral Graf Spee put into Monte Video following the Battle of the River Plate in December 1939. She eventually scuttled, and Peile left his posting in September 1941. He served at the Director of Compass Department, Slough and was eventually seconded for service at B.A.T.M. Ottawa in February 1943.

Commander Peile reverted to the retired list in January 1946, and died in January 1958.

M.I.D. unconfirmed.

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