Previous Lot Next Lot

Auction: 22133 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - e-Auction
Lot: 1012

The Spanish Order of Naval Merit group of six awarded to Lieutenant Commander C. A. Kingsley-Rowe, Fleet Air Arm, for his part in the rescue of Major Ramon Franco - the brother of General Franco - whose flying boat had been downed in the Atlantic

Defence and War Medals 1939-45; Pacific Star; Royal Life Saving Society, bronze Medal (C.A.K. Rowe. Oct. 1919 [sic]), in its case of issue; H.M.S. Eagle 29 June 1929 Beunos Aires visit gold Medal inscribed 'Charles Alfred Kingley-Rowe', hallmarked; Spain; Kingdom, Order of Naval Merit, Class 1, silver-gilt and enamel, in its somewhat distressed Medina box of issue; sold with a silver box inscribed 'C. A. K.-R. from the Officers of No. 800 (F.F.) Squadron 6-7-35.', hallmarked for London 1934, some contact wear, overall very fine (6)

Spanish Order of Naval Merit London Gazette 8 November 1929.

Charles Alfred Kingsley-Rowe was born on 29 January 1901 at Kensington, London the son of Alfred and Ethel Rowe (nee Kingsley). His father had set himself up as a rancher in Texas before marrying his wife, the cousin of Charles Kingsley a noted author. Returning to America to see to his business interests Rowe booked passage upon the Titanic in April 1912 and was present when she struck an iceberg on 15 April. A strong swimmer Rowe refused a place in the lifeboats and as such died of exposure in the freezing waters of the North Atlantic, his body was one of those recovered and buried.

Kingsley-Rowe had adopted both of his parents' names- possibly in recognition of the role his mother and her family played in raising him after the tragic death of his father. Commissioned Sub-Lieutenant on 15 January 1922 he was posted to H.M.S. Lowestoft before attending a promotion course at the Royal Naval College, Greenwich between September 1924- January 1925. Promoted Sub-Lieutenant on 15 February 1925 he applied for the Fleet Air Arm in March 1927 and was further promoted Lieutenant on 15 March 1927.

Posted to H.M.S. Eagle on 8 April 1929 as a Pilot with 402 Flight and was still with her in June when she became part of the hunt for the Dornier-Wal flying-boat which when missing earlier that month. Fortunately the boat was located with its passengers including Major Ramon Franco- the brother of General Francisco Franco- who stated that they had run out of petrol. High winds had set them drifting and resulted caused worries of being swamped.

The Spanish Government made awards to a number of the British Airmen and sailors involved in the rescue operation including Kingsley-Rowe. He continued to serve, being promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 15 October 1935. One of his next appointments was with No. 800 Squadron aboard Courageous, which he remained with until 1935 being awarded a silver box upon his transfer away from the unit

With the outbreak of the Second World War Kingsley-Rowe was stationed as Commanding Officer of No. 769 Squadron at H.M.S. Merlin. Swiftly moving on to No. 750 Squadron with Peregrine, Kingsley-Rowe was stationed at H.M.S. Cormorant, Gibraltar on 20 October 1940. He was to see service in the East from June 1941, first with Sultan, the shore base at Singapore and later with Lanka the Royal Naval base in Ceylon.

Kingsley-Rowe finished the war with H.M.S. Owl at Rosshire. He was promoted Commander upon his retirement in 1948; sold together copied research including service records, handwritten research, a blog post relating to the recipient's father and two photographs as well as extracts from London Gazette, Medal News and The Times.

Subject to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium. For more information please view Terms and Conditions for Buyers.

Sold for
£650

Starting price
£280