Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

An interesting lot of documents and photographs relating to Vice-Admiral John Knowles Im Thurn, C.B., C.M.G., C.B.E., R.N., who commanded H.M.S. Hood on the World Cruise 1923-24

(a) a purpose-made booklet containing his annual certificates from 1897 to 1918: these reported on his conduct and professional ability and were signed by his captain; (b) examination results for the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, January 1901; (c) letters from the Admiralty (5) notifying Im Thurn of the following appointments - Director of Naval Signalling, 1920; Captain of H.M.S. Hood, 1923; Captain of H.M.S. Victory (command of signal school), 1925; Captain of Queen Elizabeth, 1928; Rear-Admiral for duty in the Admiralty, 1931; (d) letter from the Admiralty expressing regret at his forthcoming transfer to the Retired List and appreciation for his distinguished service, 1935; (e) warrants appointing him C.B.E., 1919; C.M.G., 1924, together with two related letters and a copy of the statutes, in envelope; C.B. (Civil), 1931; Admiral Im Thurn’s own copy of the photograph album produced to record the voyage of the Special Service Squadron 1923-24. The album has a cover in blue suede leather with the title in gold leaf and includes well over 100 photographs in different sizes. It begins with photos of the seven ships and portrait photos of Admiral Field and the respective commanding officers and includes photos of the ships at sea, the ports visited and the V.I.P’s. who visited the ships, good condition (lot) £200-300

John Knowles Im Thurn was born in Dulwich on 7 March 1881 and joined the Royal Navy as a Cadet on 15 January 1895. He was appointed a Midshipman in 1897 and promoted to Sub-Lieutenant in 1900; Lieutenant in 1902 and Commander in 1910. During 1914-16 he was WT officer at Vernon, responsible for installing wireless equipment in new warships, constructing new shore stations and training personnel. During 1917-18 he was on the staff of Vice-Admiral de Robeck, commanding the Second Battle Squadron. He was promoted to Captain in 1918 and at the end of the war was mentioned in despatches and awarded the C.B.E.

In 1918 he was appointed assistant Director of the Electrical Section of Torpedoes and Mining at the Admiralty and in 1920 he became the first Director of the Naval Signals Department. During 1922-23 he commanded the light cruiser Ceres in the Mediterranean. He was then appointed to command the battlecuiser Hood and was also the Chief of Staff to Rear-Admiral Sir Frederick Field, commanding the Special Service Squadron. The squadron, consisting of Hood, Repulse and five light cruisers, sailed from Devonport in November 1923 and visited most of the dominions and colonies of the British Empire, as well as ports in the U.S.A., returning to England in September 1924. For his services Im Thurn was awarded the C.M.G.

His next appointment was to the command of the Signal School at Portsmouth. In March 1928 he was appointed to command the battleship Queen Elizabeth as Commodore 1st Class. Again he was Flag Captain and Chief of Staff to Admiral Field, commanding the Mediterranean Fleet. He was appointed Rear-Admiral and A.D.C. to the King in 1929 and created C.B. in 1931. During 1931-33 he was Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff. Im Thurn then commanded the First Cruiser Squadron in the Mediterranean Fleet, 1933-35, flying his flag on London. He was promoted to Vice-Admiral in 1935 and commanded his squadron in the Jubilee Naval Review prior to retiring. On the outbreak of the Second World War he came out of retirement to command convoys as a Commodore, R.N.R., after which he held appointments at the Admiralty. He died in London on 5 July 1956. With copied research.