A Kiwi Submariner who served in WWII
The story of Leading Stoker Philip Edwin “Froggie” Le Gros
A Kiwi sailor serving with the HM Royal Navy Submarine Service in the Second World War
Philip “Froggie” Le Gros was one of some 200 New Zealand sailors who volunteered for submarine service during the Second World War. This article is based on a range of unpublished sources collected by Philip Le Gros over decades, including an interview with him in 1994 as part of the Oral History project of the Royal New Zealand Navy (RNZN) museum; many newspaper clippings (most without the newspaper title and dates); a scrapbook; captions on a framed series of reproduced drawings of the exploits of the “Torbay” on which Philip served, and; comments from his son Peter. These sources were checked against published sources (footnoted) for accuracy. It is important to note that many sources were published half a century after the events of the Second World War, and are based on memory and in some cases hearsay. An article published by the RNZN paid tribute to these men, noting that while many were ratings – seamen, stokers and telegraphers, a number were officers including lieutenants, navigators and one was in command. Philip and fellow Kiwi, Bruce Bennett, were the only RNZN sailors to have participated in action earning its commander a Victoria Cross.
