Date of death:

April 4th, 1942

Nationality:

Irish

Philip Somerville was the son of Vice-Admiral Hugh Gaultier Coghill Somerville of Castle Townshend, Co. Cork, Ireland. Philip came from a distinguished Irish family who all had careers in either the Navy or Army.
On September 22nd, 1933 he was awarded Insignia of Officer of the Order of the Phoenix on the occasion of the earthquake in Ohalcidice.
Somerville was the Commander of HMS Kingston when on April 4th, 1942 a bomb fell directly at the entrance of the Corradino tunnel. Among those killed by the blast were three officers of Kingston: Commander Peter (or Philip) Somerville DSO., Lieut. P. Hague and Sub. Lt. J. Carter, as well as five other sailors of the destroyer. Cdr. Somerville is buried at the Malta Military Cemetery.

Promotions:
April 16th, 1929: Lieutenant
May 12th, 1929: commssioned as Flying Officer for duties with the RAF
April 16th, 1937 Lieutenant Commander
July 14th, 1939: commsion relinquished on return to RN
December 31st, 1941: Commander

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Unit:

HMS Kingston

Awarded on:

December 23rd, 1939

Citation:
"For successful actions against enemy submarines."

For sinking the submarine U35 east of the Shetlands with her sister ships HMS Kashmir and HMS Icarus.
The Kashmir and Kingston rescued the crew of the submarine; the Kingston had part of the crew on board for several weeks until she reached Gourock in Scotland where the POWs where handed over

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Awarded on:

February 1941

Citation:
"For courage and resource in sinking an enemy submarine."

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Lieutenant Commander

Awarded on:

January 8th, 1942

Citation:
"For outstanding gallantry, fortitude and resolution during the Battle of Crete."

Second DSC awarded as a bar on the ribbon of the first DSC.

Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Commander

Awarded on:

September 8th, 1942

Citation:
"For gallantry, skill and seamanship in H.M. Ships Avon Vale, Beaufort, Breconshire, Carlisle, Cleopatra, Dido, Dulverton, Eridge, Euryalus, Havock, Hero, Hurtworth, Jervis, Kelvin, Kingston, Kipling, Legion, Lively, Penelope, Sikh, Southwold and Zulu in a brilliant action against strong enemy forces, which were driven off and severely damaged. This action resulted in the safe passage to Malta of an important Convoy."

Second DSO awarded as a bar on the ribbon of the first DSO.

• - Second Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 34759 published on the 22 December 1939
  - Second Supplement to Th London Gazette Issue 35070 published on the 7 February 1941
  - Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35409 published on the 6 January 1942
  - Third Supplement to The London Gazette Issue 35695 published on the 4 September 1942
  - The Wind Ensemble and Its Repertoire: Essays on the Fortieth Anniversary of the Eastman Wind Ensemble - Cipolla, F.
  - Commonwealth War Graves Commission
  - Warlinks.com