The Collection of Medals Formed by Bill and Angela Strong

A Great War C.B. group of five awarded to Admiral T. D. Gilbert (née Pratt), Royal Navy, who was mentioned for services in command of H.M.S. Yarmouth at Jutland

The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; 1914-15 Star (Capt. T. D. Pratt, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaf (Capt. T. D. Pratt. R.N.); Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, gold and enamels, minor chips to green enamel on first, otherwise nearly extremely fine (5)
£2000-2500

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Bill and Angela Strong Medal Collection.

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Thomas Drummond Gilbert was originally named Pratt and assumed the surname Gilbert by Royal License in 1920. Born in 1870 he joined H.M.S. Britannia as a naval cadet in January 1884 and went to sea two years later as a Midshipman of H.M.S. Sultan in the Channel Squadron. He was promoted Sub-Lieutenant in 1890, Lieutenant in 1893 and Commander in 1904 after commanding the gunboat H.M.S. Britomart in China. During the next seven years he was executive officer in the cruisers Aboukir and Black Prince and commanded the Spartiate in reserve for the Home Fleet.

After promotion to Captain he was made a Member of the Admiralty committee which in 1912 inquired into matters of discipline and the system of summary punishments in the Navy. Later he commanded the cruisers Amphion, Galatea, Active and Yarmouth and the battleship Thunderer. In the last four of these ships he served at sea throughout the Great War, and in the Yarmouth he took part in the battle of Jutland in 1916, for which he was commended in despatches.

He was made a C.B. in 1918, and an Officer of the Legion of Honour in the same year. From 1919 to 1921 he was chief of staff to the Senior Naval Officer in Malta. Promoted to Rear-Admiral in April 1922, he commanded the Second Cruiser Squadron of the Atlantic Fleet in H.M.S. Curacao from 1923 to 1925. He retired with the rank of Vice-Admiral in 1927 and was advanced to Admiral on the retired list in 1931. Admiral Gilbert died on 24 January 1962.

Sold with additional research including copy record of service.