Orders, Decorations and Medals

An interesting selection of Original Documentation relating to Vice-Admiral J. K. im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., Royal Navy, comprising the official commemorative album for “The World Cruise of the British Special Service Squadron 1923-1924”, bound in blue suede leather with gilt-embossed Naval crown and title; book of Certificates from Midshipman on H.M.S. Blake in 1897 to Commander in 1918; Warrants of Appointment as C.B. (Civil) 1931, C.M.G. 1924, these both with related letters and Statutes, and C.B.E. 1919; two R.N. College 2nd Class Examination Certificates on Vellum, January and April 1901; Admiralty Appointments as Director of Naval Signalling 1920, Captain of H.M.S. Hood 1923, Captain of H.M.S. Victory 1925, Captain of H.M.S. Queen Elizabeth 1928, and appointment as Rear-Admiral and Assistant Chief of Staff of H.M.S. President 1931; together with a letter placing him on the Retired List in April 1935, generally in very good condition £100-150

Vice-Admiral John Knowles im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., was a foremost specialist in signals and wireless. He entered the navy in 1894, and served during the Great War as commander for wireless and war staff duties in Vernon, and in 1917 he joined the Staff of Admiral Sir Charles Madden in the Revenge. After his promotion to Captain in 1918, he became assistant director of the electrical section in the Department of Torpedoes and Mining at the Admiralty, and when a separate Signal Department was formed in 1920 he became its first director. He was flag captain to Admiral Field and Captain of the Hood during the world cruise of the Special Service Squadron in 1923-24. For the next three years he was in command of the Signal School at Portsmouth, and was then appointed Chief of Staff in the Mediterranean Fleet. He was Assistant Chief of Naval Staff, 1931-33, and then commanded the First Cruiser Squadron, in H.M.S. London, in which he hauled down his flag after the naval review of 1935, and passed into retirement. At the beginning of the Second World War he came out of retirement to serve in convoys as commodore, Royal Naval Reserve.