The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals (Part 2)

Egypt and Sudan 1882-89, undated reverse, 1 clasp, The Nile 1884-85 (Lieut. The Hon. H. Tyrwhitt, R.N.) backstrap of clasp cut away to facilitate mounting, some light pitting, otherwise good very fine

This lot was sold as part of a special collection, The Douglas-Morris Collection of Naval Medals.

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Captain The Honourable Hugh Tyrwhitt, C.S.I., C.V.O., was born at Ashwell Thorpe, Wymondham, on 14 July 1856, the third son of Baroness Berners and the 3rd Baronet Tyrwhitt (cr. 1808). He entered the Royal Navy as a Naval Cadet aboard H.M.S. BRITANNIA on 15 January 1870, and subsequently served aboard HERCULES (1871-73) where he was promoted to Midshipman on 20 June 1872, BELLEROPHON (1873-76) receiving promotion to Sub Lieutenant on 19 June 1876, CONDOR (1878-80), and HELICON (1880-81). He was promoted to Lieutenant whilst aboard DUKE OF WELLINGTON on 4 February 1881, and next served aboard AGINCOURT (1881 to 26 April 1882), ALEXANDRA (1883-86) as Flag Lieutenant to Admiral Lord John Hay, Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean. He was loaned to MONARCH (28 March 1885 to 6 April 1885) for duties with the Nile Flotilla, and assisted in the meticulous survey work, commenced by Commander T. F. Hammill, of the mighty Nile with its six cataracts that was to be the main conduit for the expedition to relieve General Gordon at Khartoum.

He served next aboard DOLPHIN (1887-88), OPAL (1888-89), Staff College (1891), and NARCISSUS (1891-94). Whilst in the latter vessel he was promoted to Commander on 30 June 1893, and served next aboard NILE (1894-95), and SURPRISE (1895-99). He was promoted to Captain 1 January 1899 and appointed to the Command of RENOWN (1900-02), and Flag Captain to Vice Admiral Sir John Fisher, K.C.B., Commander-in-Chief, Mediterranean Fleet. He was specially selected for the position of Private Secretary to the First Lord of the Admiralty 1902-05, for which services he was made a Member of the Royal Victorian Order on 11 August 1903.

Captain Tyrwhitt again commissioned RENOWN on 7 September 1905, this ship having been selected to carry H.R.H. the Prince and Princess of Wales on their visit to India. She sailed from Portsmouth on the 8th October, for Genoa, where their Royal Highnesses joined, and returned to Spithead on 7 May 1906. For his services on this occasion Tyrwhitt was promoted to Commander of the Royal Victorian Order on 11 March 1906, and created a Companion of the Exalted Star of India on 19 March 1906, becoming one of only three naval officers who were members of the latter order. From the King of Spain he also received the Grand Cross of the Order of Naval Merit. Captain Tyrwhitt died on 28 October 1907.