Date of death:

January 5th, 1943

Nationality:

New Zealander

Frank Saunders served on HMS Dunedin, HMS Diomede and HMS Philomel.

Saunders was serving on HMS Achilles when the ship joined had United States Navy forces in the campaign for the Solomon Islands at the end of December 1942. On 5 January 1943 a group of four Japanese aircraft attacked the force and a bomb hit the top of X turret, blowing the top off and killing Saunders and 12 other men and injuring eight others.

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Period:

Second World War (1939-1945)

Rank:

Sergeant

Unit:

H.M.S. Achilles (70), Royal Navy

Awarded on:

February 23rd, 1940

Citation:
"who acted with courage and initiative throughout the engagement, overcoming each difficulty and breakdown as it occurred, and by his fine example and leadership urged his quarters to still further efforts."

In recognition of the gallant and successful action with the " Admiral Graf Spee."

• - https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/34796/data.pdf
  - Auckland War Memorial Museum
  - National Museum of the Royal New Zealand Navy