Frederick Thornton Peters
Frederick Thornton Peters | |
|---|---|
Peters, c. 1910s | |
| Native name | Frederic Thornton Peters |
| Born | 17 September 1889 |
| Died | 13 November 1942 (aged 53) near HMNB Devonport, Plymouth Sound |
| Allegiance | United Kingdom |
| Branch | |
| Service years | 1905–1942 |
| Rank | Acting Captain |
| Unit | Section for Destruction |
| Commands | |
| Conflicts | |
| Awards | Victoria Cross Distinguished Service Order Distinguished Service Cross & Bar Mentioned in Despatches Distinguished Service Cross (United States) |
Acting Captain Frederic Thornton "Fritz" Peters (usually misspelled with the letter "k" in official documents) VC, DSO, DSC & Bar (17 September 1889 – 13 November 1942) was a Canadian-born sailor in the Royal Navy and a recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest award for valour in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces. He was also the first Canadian to ever win the Distinguished Service Order. In addition to his service with the Royal Navy, Fritz worked with British Naval Intelligence and the Secret Intelligence Service, and advised Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
The Soviet double agent Kim Philby, who worked for Peters at one point, wrote of him in his memoirs:
"He often took Guy and me to dinner at the Hungaria, to listen to our views on the new project. He had faraway naval eyes and a gentle smile of great charm. Against all the odds, he took a great and immediate fancy to Guy, who ruthlessly swiped the cigarettes off his desk. As will be seen, his connection with us was brief... Our trainees came to adore him."