badge and star: Order of the Phoenix, 1st Class (Military)

Awarded to Admiral of the Fleet, Lord John Tovey (1885-1971) on 15 April 1947. Badge: Gold enamelled white cross with gold phoenix in centre and crossed swords between arms of the cross. Suspended from a gold crown. Worn on a sash of yellow ribbon edged with black. Star: Silver with eight points and a gold phoenix on crossed swords in the centre with gold crown above.

During World War I, Tovey commanded the destroyer HMS 'Jackal' at the Battle of Dogger Bank, HMS 'Onslow' at the Battle of Jutland and 'Ursa' at the Battle of Heligoland Bight. By the start of World War II, he was a Rear-Admiral in command of the destroyer flotillas of the Mediterranean Fleet, promoted to Vice-Admiral on 3 May 1939 and later Second in Command of the Mediterranean Fleet. From November 1940 as Commander-in Chief of the Home Fleet, he organised the pursuit and sinking of the 'Bismarck' and the escort of Arctic convoys. From June 1943 he was Commander-in-Chief, The Nore, involved with the invasion of Sicily and the Normandy Landings. He was ennobled on 15 February 1946 at the time of his retirement as 1st Baron Tovey of Langton Matravers.

Object Details

ID: MED2187
Collection: Coins and medals
Type: Order
Display location: Not on display
Creator: Unknown
Date made: Unknown
People: Tovey, John Cronyn
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: badge: 58 mm; star: 85 mm
Parts: badge and star: Order of the Phoenix, 1st Class (Military)
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