Orders, Decorations and Medals

Four: Captain G. V. C. Knox, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (Commr., R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt., R.N.); Coronation 1911, silver, unnamed, mounted as worn, nearly extremely fine (4) £180-220

Gerald Vivian Cuff Knox was born in Dublin on 29 April 1875. Entering the Royal Navy, he was appointed a Midshipman on 15 July 1891. He was promoted to Acting Sub-Lieutenant in April 1895; Sub-Lieutenant in June 1895; Lieutenant in December 1897; Commander in August 1907 and Acting Captain in January 1916.

As Commander aboard H.M.Y. Victoria and Albert, he was awarded the Norwegian Coronation Medal 1905 of King Haakon VII (not with lot). He was later awarded the Coronation Medal of King George V in 1911. Knox served as Commander aboard the 2nd class cruiser Sappho from April 1912 - the ship being the tender to the flagship of the Grand Fleet, 1914-16. In January 1916 he was appointed Acting Captain of the ship ‘in recognition of skilful handling of Sappho when she broke from her mooring in a gale, 23.12.15’. He remained Acting Captain of the Sappho until December 1916. Later serving in Mesopotamia, he was mentioned in the G.O.C’s. despatches of 2 November 1917 ‘for distinguished and gallant services and devotion to duty.’ His papers record that he ‘has done very good work in [the] Persian Gulf’. Knox was placed on the Retired List with the rank of Captain on 23 October 1919. With copied service papers.