The important Second War K.C.B., C.B.E., Royal Visit M.V.O. group of twenty-one awarded to...

The important Second War K.C.B., C.B.E., Royal Visit M.V.O. group of twenty-one awarded to Admiral Sir William Tennant, Royal Navy After playing a pivotal role in Operation ‘Dynamo’ in 1940, when he was the Senior Naval Officer ashore at Dunkirk and the last to depart the beleaguered port, he likewise played a vital role in the planning and execution of Operation ‘Neptune’ in 1944, not least in the deployment of the Mulberry Harbours and ‘Pluto’ pipelines In the interim, he served as captain of H.M.S. Repulse in the Far East, up until her famous loss to Japanese aircraft in 1941, on which unhappy occasion he determined to go down with his ship, but three of his officers pushed him bodily off the bridge and over the side The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, K.C.B. (Military) Knight Commander’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; and breast star, silver, with gold and enamel appliqué centre; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, C.B.E. (Military) Commander’s 2nd type neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels; The Order of St. John of Jerusalem, Knight of Grace’s set of insignia, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver and enamel; The Royal Victorian Order, M.V.O., Member’s 4th Class breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels, the reverse numbered ‘1189’; 1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. G. Tennant, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (Lieut. W. G. Tennant. R.N.); Naval General Service 1915-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1936-1939 (Capt. W. G. Tennant. M.V.O. R.N.); 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Africa Star, 1 clasp, North Africa 1942-43; Pacific Star; Italy Star; War Medal 1939-45; Jubilee 1935; Coronation 1937; Coronation 1953; France, Third Republic, Legion of Honour, Officer’s breast badge, silver-gilt and enamels; Croix de Guerre 1939, with palm; Greece, Kingdom, Order of George I (Military), 2nd Class set of insignia by Spink, London, comprising neck badge and breast star, silver-gilt and enamels, red enamel in centre of badge badly chipped; United States of America, Legion of Merit, Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, suspension loop numbered ‘385’, mounted court-style where appropriate, together with related mounted group of twenty miniature medals (not including Greek Order), generally good very fine or better (24) £8,000-£10,000 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Spink, December 1997, when the Greek insignia was incorrectly described as that of the Order of the Phoenix. K.C.B. London Gazette 18 December 1945: ‘For distinguished service throughout the War in Europe.’ C.B. London Gazette 7 June 1940: ‘For good services in organising the withdrawal to England under fire and in the face of many and great difficulties of 335,490 officers and men of the Allied Armies, in about one thousand of His Majesty’s Ships and other craft between the 27th May and 4th June 1940.’ The original recommendation states: ‘For distinguished service as Senior Naval Officer on shore at Dunkirk during the evacuation of the British Expeditionary Force and part of the French Army. His excellent liaison with the French authorities enabled the drawn-out process of embarkation, both from the breakwater and the beaches, to be carried out to the best possible advantage. This work was carried on throughout the whole period of nine days under the strain of continuous bombardment both from the air and land.’ C.B.E. London Gazette 28 November 1944: ‘For distinguished services in operations which led to the successful landing of Allied Forces in Normandy.’ The original recommendation states: ‘Rear-Admiral Tennant was the Flag Officer placed in charge of the operations connected with the construction of the artificial harbours and craft shelters, known collectively as ‘Mulberries’ and ‘Gooseberries’. Nothing of this extent and nature has ever before been attempted, even in times of peace, and for the work to be successful called for great powers of organisation, combined with initiative, resource and seamanlike skill of a very high order, all of which was forthcoming in full measure. In addition to this task Admiral Tennant was charged with the responsibility for co-ordinating all the multifarious towing requirements connected with the operation, extending over a period of several months, as well as for other tasks in all of which he was supremely successful. His tact, patience and charm of manner overcame many difficult situations and gained of him the universal support of the heterogeneous collection of individuals comprising the organisations which he had formed and over which he so effectively presided. I have no hesitation in stating that the very satisfactory maintenance of the Allied Armies in France was due in large measure to the successful work of Admiral Tennant and his organisation.’ M.V.O. London Gazette 10 November 1925: ‘On the occasion of the visit of His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales to Africa and South America.’ Greek Order of George I London Gazette 15 April 1947: ‘For valuable services to the Royal Hellenic Navy during the war in Europe.’ U.S.A. Legion of Merit London Gazette 15 October 1946: ‘For services to the United States of America during the war.’ His French Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre are also verified and were for services on the Staff of the C.-in-C. of the Allied Expeditionary Force in the liberation of France. The original recommendation (ADM 1/16697) states: ‘As a member of Admiral Sir Bertram H. Ramsay’s staff, he played an important part in the preparation and, especially, in the execution of the operations of disembarkation in Normandy on 6 June 1944 and the days immediately following, thus effectively participating in the liberation of a portion of French territory.’ William George Tennant was born at Upton-on-Severn on 2 January 1890, the son of an army officer, and was educated at Hanley Castle Grammar School prior to entering the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in May 1905. Subsequently confirmed in the rank of Sub. Lieutenant in December 1909, and advanced to Lieutenant in June 1912, he specialised in navigation. During the Great War he served in the Harwich Force, in the destroyers Lizard and Ferret, and afterwards in the Grand Fleet in the cruisers Chatham and Nottingham, and he was present at the latter’s loss on 19 August 1916, when she was torpedoed in the North Sea by the U-52, with a loss of 38 men. Having ended the war in the cruiser Concord, Tennant was next appointed to the royal yacht Alexandra, in which role he made a good impression, for, in September 1921, as a recently promoted Lieutenant-Commander, he joined the battle cruiser Renown as navigating officer for the Prince of Wales’s royal tour to India and Japan. That too clearly went well, for he was subsequently appointed navigating officer of the Repulse for the Prince’s tour to Africa and South America in 1924-25. He was advanced to Commander and appointed a Member of the Royal Victorian Order (M.V.O.). Royal service aside, Tennant gained valuable experience in the Operations Division of the Admiralty in the mid-20s, toured the Mediterranean as executive officer of the cruiser Sussex in 1929-30, and was advanced to Captain on the staff of the R.N.C. Greenwich in December 1932. Another tour in the Mediterranean having ensued, in command of the cruiser Arethusa, he was appointed Chief Staff Officer to First S...