Admiral of the Fleet
Sir John Cronyn Tovey
G.C.B.,
K.B.E., D.S.O.
Lord Tovey of Langton Matravers
Updated 18-Oct-2007
| Personal Details | ||
| Event | Date / details | Source |
| Date of Birth | 7 March 1885 | 1 |
| Place of Birth | Rochester, Kent | 1 |
| Name of father | Lt. Col. Hamilton Tovey, R.E. | 3 |
| Name of mother | Mrs. M.E. Tovey | 1 |
| Profession of father | Lieutenant Colonel, Royal Engineers | 1 |
| Wife's Name | Aida Rowe | 1 |
| Date of Marriage | 28 March 1916 | 1 |
| Place of Marriage | Linlithgow | 4 |
| Date of Death | 12 January 1971 | 3 |
| Place of death | Madeira | 3 |
| Place of Burial | 1 | |
| Rank History | ||
| Rank | Date attained | Source |
| Naval cadet | 15 January 1900 | 1 |
| Midshipman | 15 May 1901 | 1 |
| Sub-Lieutenant | 15 July 1904 | 1 |
| Lieutenant | 15 July 1906 | 1 |
| Lieutenant-Commander | 15 July 1914 | 1 |
| Commander | 30 June 1916 | 1 |
| Captain | 31 December 1923 | 1 |
| Rear-Admiral | 27 August 1935 | 1 |
| Vice-Admiral | 3 May 1939 | 1 |
| Admiral | 30 October 1942 | 1 |
| Admiral of the Fleet | 22 October 1943 | 1 |
| Honours and Knighthoods | |||
| Honour or Knighthood | Date awarded | Date Gazetted | Source |
| Order St. Anne 3rd Class (with swords) (Russia) | 1 October 1917 | 28 September 1917 | 5 |
| Croix de Guerre (French Republic) | 2 November 1917 | 30 October 1917 | 5 |
| Companion of the Distinguished Service Order (D.S.O.) | 10 July 1919 | 8 July 1919 | 5 |
| Naval Aide de Camp to His Majesty King George V In succession to Captain B.H. Ramsay, M.V.O. |
10 May 1935 | 14 May 1935 | 5 |
| Companion of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (C.B. (Military)) | 1 February 1937 | 29 January 1937 | 5 |
| Knight Commander of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (K.C.B. (Military)) | 1 January 1941 | 31 December 1940 | 5 |
| Knight Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (K.B.E. (Military)) | 14 October 1941 | 10 October 1941 | 5 |
| Knight Grand Cross of the Most Honourable Order of the Bath (G.C.B.) | 13 April 1943 | 9 April 1943 | 5 |
| Order of Suvorov, First Class (U.S.S.R.) | 29 February 1944 | 25 February 1944 | |
| First and Principal Naval Aide de Camp to HM The King in succession to Admiral Sir Percy Noble GBE KCB CVO to date 16/1/45 | Not found | Not found | 1 |
| Baron Tovey of Langton Matravers | 11 February 1946 | 15 February 1946 | 5 |
| Legion of Merit, Degree of Commander (U.S.A.) | 28 May 1946 | 24 May 1945 | |
| Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Phoenix with Swords (First Class) (Greece) | 15 April 1947 | 11 April 1947 | |
| Church Commissioner for England | 2 April 1948 | 2 April 1948 | 5 |
| Rewards & Distinctions |
| Gained 4 months time on passing out of Britannia |
| Order St. Anne 3rd Cl. (with swords) Gazette 1/10/17 |
| Croix de Guerre Gazette 2/11/17 |
| D.S.O. Gaz 10/7/19 |
| CW 9560/34 Awarded G.S.P. of £150 p.a. as from 24.11.34 |
| CW 3970/35 Appts. naval A.D.C. to HM The King from 9/5/35 |
| C.B. Military Dvn (Gaz 29.1.37) |
| Invested at B.P. 24.?3?37 |
| K.C.B. Suppl of L. Gazette 1.1.41 |
| K.B.E. Gazetted 14.10.41 |
| G.C.B. Gazetted 13.4.43 |
| First and Principal Naval Aide de Camp to HM The King in succession to Admiral Sir Percy Noble GBE KCB CVO to date 16/1/45 |
| Legion of Merit Degree of Commander Gazette 28.5.46 |
| Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Phoenix with Swords (1st Cl) Gaz (Supp) 11/4/47 |
| Examinations |
| 15.7.04 Seamanship 1st Cl. 921/1000 |
| 29.11.04 Passed Navigation Pt. I takes Pt. II |
| Mch 05 Passed Navigation Pt. II A 1cl B 2cl |
| 30 May 1905 Passed Pilotage 2nd Cl. 885/1000 |
| 8 Sept. 1905 Passed Gunnery 2nd Cl. 836/1000 |
| 13 Oct 1905 Passed Torpedo 2nd Cl. 162/200 |
| 4 June 1920 Qualified War Staff |
| Special Attainments or Qualifications |
| Service / Appointments History | |||||
| Ship | Station | Date of appointment |
Date of discharge |
Cause | Source |
| Britannia | Trg Ship | 15.1.00 | 15.5.01 | Passed out | 1 |
| Majestic | Channel | 1.6.01 | 5 June 02 | Ariadne | 1 |
| Ariadne | 5 June 02 | 15.7.04 | A.S.L. | 1 | |
| Exmouth | Chan | 1.11.05 | 1 | ||
| in lieu of SL | 15.7.06 | 1 | |||
| part Comft | 20.9.06 | 11.3.07 | 1 | ||
| Cancd | 1 | ||||
| Victory for RN Bks | 11.3.07 | 18.5.08 | 1 | ||
| King Alfred | China | 18.5.08 | 5.10 | 1 | |
| Racer addl for RN Coll | Osborne adl | 5.10 | 1 | ||
| Racer addl for RN Coll | psrt comp | 15.5.10 | 5.6.11 | Supd | 1 |
| Bellona | AF II | 5.6.11 | 8.11.11 | 1 | |
| Patrol (1st) | HFI | 8.11.11 | 13.8.12 | 1 | |
| Russell | 4 Sq | 13.8.12 | 1.1.13 | 1 | |
| Vivid for trials of Amphion | 1.1.13 | 1 | |||
| Amphion (1st & G) | 4 Sq | 2.4.13 | 6.8.14 | 1 | |
| Faulknor (1st & G) | 8.14 | 6.1.15 | 1 | ||
| Woolwich for Jackal in cd. | 6.1.15 | 7.5.16 | 1 | ||
| Woolwich for Onslow in cd. | 7.5.16 | 1 | |||
| Reappointed on promotion | 30.6.16 | .10.17 | 1 | ||
| Greenwich addl for Wolfhound & for service on Staff of Capt. Supd. T.B.D.s & in Cd on commg | 2.4.18 | 2.6.19 | 1 | ||
| President for course at Naval Staff Coll. Greenwich | 2.6.19 | 4.6.20 | 1 | ||
| President addl for service on Admiralty Naval Staff Operations Division | 16.6.20 | 16.6.22 | Supd | 1 | |
| Victory addl for MT | 16.6.22 | 1 | |||
| Woolwich addl for Seawold in Cd. | 6.8.22 | 7.1.24 | Supd | 1 | |
| Woolwich addl for Saumarcy in Comd & as Capt (D) 2nd Des Flotilla for R F Exercises | 10.7.24 | 21.8.24 | 1 | ||
| President addl for SO Course at Army Sch Sheerness | 23.9.24 | 1 | |||
| Bruce in cd & as Capt (D) 8th Destroyer Flotilla | 31.12.24 | 1 | |||
| Bruce in cd. & as Capt (D) VIII and IX tempy | 11.5.25 | 1 | |||
| Bruce in cd. & as Capt (D) 8th Flot. | 7.7.25 | 1 | |||
| Campbell in Cd. & as Capt. (D) VI | 19.4.26 | 2.5.26 | 1 | ||
| re-apptd on re-commg | 3.5.26 | 10.1.27 | Supd | 1 | |
| President addl for Imperial Defence Course at Imperial Defence Coll | 17.1.27 | 12.12.27 | 1 | ||
| Victory addl for SOTC Pt 1 | 9.1.28 | 1 | |||
| Victory addl for SOTC Pt 2 | 10.4.28 | 1 | |||
| Victory addl | 9.6.28 | 1 | |||
| For duty as Asst, Director, Senior Officers Technical Course, Part II | 16.6.28 | 1 | |||
| President for duty inside Admy | 28.4.30 | 1 | |||
| & as NA2SL F.B. Watson | 5.5.30 | 1 | |||
| Rodney in Cd. vice Bellairs on resong? | 4.32 | 8.34 | Supd | 1 | |
| Victory addl Sen Off Tech Crse | 15.10.34 | 1 | |||
| Pembroke in command & as Commodore 2nd Class in comd of RN Barracks Chatham & Devonport (DL 20/10/34) | 30.1.35 | 1.7.35 | DL 12/4 Supd | 1 | |
| Victory addl for Senior Officers Tact Crse (DL 1/9) | 20.9.37 | 1 | |||
| To be Rear Adml (D) Cdg
Dest Flots, Medn Fleet in succession to V/A J.F. Somerville to date To assume cd April 38 (DL 15/10/37) |
3.35 | 1 | |||
| President addl for S.O.W.C. (DL 30/11) | 4.12.37 | 1 | |||
| Galatea addl (DL 19/2) | 19.2.38 | 1 | |||
| Reapptd on promotion (DL 8/5) (CW 8486/39) | 3.5.39 | 1 | |||
| To be Admiral Cdn Light Forces & 2nd in Command Meditn Fleet | 19/7 | 18/7/40 | 23-10-40 | 1 | |
| To be C in C Home Fleet with act rank of Admiral in succession to adml of the Fleet Sir Chas M Forbes G.C.B. D.S.O. (S.L. 18.10.40) | 2-12-40 | DL 8/2 supd | 1 | ||
| Reappd on promotion | 29/10/42 | 1 | |||
| Reports | |||||||
| Source: ADM 196/ | |||||||
| Date of Report | General Conduct | Ability | Professional knowledge, specifying any particular branch | Whether temperate habits | Special knowledge or acquirements (Languages, Drawing, & c.) | Remarks, mentioning any special defects or high qualifications as regards Zeal, Judgment, Physical Qualities, & c., and if specially recommended for advancement. | Remarks |
| June 02 | VGI | VG | Good | Yes | Zealous and diligent | Cap. Bradford | |
| Jan 03 | VGI | VG | G | Yes | Painstaking & steady but stupid | Cap Browning | |
| A good boy but rther an object lesson as to over "gaming" (cricket & football) he is hardwkg & will of course improve. Manner bad with the men. | V. Adl Douglas | ||||||
| Jan 04 | VGI | VG | VG | Yes | Painstaking. Steadily improving | ||
| July 04 | VGI | VG | VG (N) | Yes | Painstaking & steady | Cap Browning | |
| 3/07 | VGI | VGI | VGI | Yes | Keen, zealous. Recd for (N) | Cap Bradford | |
| Dec 07 | VGI | VGI | VGI | Yes | Zealour, Jugt ?tall? Handles men well | Cap Galloway | |
| 4.10 | VGI | VGI | VG | Yes | Zealous, reliable, Strongly recd for Coll or Exec appt. | Cap Baker | |
| Oct 10 | All VG. Zealous & painstaking. Good judgement | Cap Christian | |||||
| 11.11 | All VGI Yes Able, zealous, & good judgt. VG offr indeed. | Cap Brand | |||||
| Aug 12 | All VGI Yes | Cap Cameron | |||||
| Dec 12 | All VG Zealous, able, no defects. | Cap Smith | |||||
| Mch 13 | VGI, VG, VG Zealous & capable | Cap Smith | |||||
| 10.13 | All VG. V. Zealous & capable. Recd in due course | Cap Dreyer | |||||
| 4.14 | Satis, Above av. Zealous. gd (G) Offr. Recd | Cap Pratt | |||||
| 7.14 | Satis, Excep. Officially Recomd. Except. Good Destroyer Offr, who should make his mark if given opportunity. | Capt. Blunt | |||||
| 16 May 16 | Sat. Above (a) Most able and ???? Sound common sense and initiative | Capt, Soper | |||||
| May 17 | Saty o, Ab Av. Capable destroyer commander | Capt. ?Favre? | |||||
| Special Reports or Service |
| Arrived in England 26/7/04 |
| joined Coll 4/10/04 |
| Watchkeeping Cert received May 06 |
| 17/1/07 Application for Navigation course noted |
| 11.3.07 Failed eyesight test for Navigator |
| NL 9871 Dec 1911 V satis inspn of Patrol |
| Jan 1915 Appn for command of T.B.D. This C.O. states that altho' he failed to pass the eyesight test for Navigation, he has never had any trouble with his eyes since, and now has exceptionally good eyesight. |
| Contributed towards Good results obtained in Battle Practice and Gunlayers Test carried out during the year 1913 |
| Jutland Battle recommended for promotion for the persistent and determined manner in which he attacked enemy ships as occasion offered even though his destroyer was disabled by shell fire and unable to proceed at more than 10 knots. Gazette 15.9.16 Promoted for these services. |
| Awarded Order of St. Anne, 3rd Cl (with Swords) for distinguished services in the Battle of Jutland Gazette 1/10/17 |
| 27/12/17 re-surveyed MDG unfit for re-survey 17/1/18 |
| Resurveyed 17/1/18 unfit, resurvey 18-2-18 |
| 18.2.18 Found fit for duty |
| CW 19420/19 Awarded D.S.O. for services in command of HMS Onslwo Gaz 10/7/19 |
| 2.19 Sat Av very good sound destroyer Capt. Capt. Dalton |
| Invested DSO Buckingham Palace 15/11/19 |
| Recd for promo June 20 Ad Packenham |
| Training 5370 appln SO's Courses noted 17.4.24 |
| CW6327/24To be ??? on course as Senior Offrs School Sheerness commencing 23/9/24 |
| 12/12/27 An officer of marked force and considerable ability has sound opinions tenacious in action as in discussion. Inspires confidence not satisfied with compromises in though requires a clear cut & well understood decision, capable of dealing with strategic problems. Commandant Richmond |
| M 1248/37 Appln for 14 days leave approved |
| C in C Medn 1950/24/10/40 VA Tovey to be considered as having finally hauled down his flag in Orion at sunset on 23-10-40 HF 2250/30/11 SSBA682(2). Flag hoisted in Bonaventure sunset 2/12/41 * transferred to Nelson as C in C |
| CW Awarded KCB |
| Sig 1959/22/3/41 Flag being transferred to Queen Elizabeth from 23/3. Secretariat Admin Staff & Cypher staff at Hatston. Arrgts re communications detailed. |
| Sig 0903/1/4/41. Flag has been transferred to K.G.V. |
| CW 23325/41 Awarded K.B.E. for distinguished services in the masterly and determined action in which the German Battleship Bismarck was destroyed |
| CW 38084/42 Adm HMNC Isle of Jersey 7.10.42 Med Acout bronchitis up to17.10/42 |
| Promoted to Admiral of the Fleet & reappts 22.10.43 (CW 49342/42) |
| CW 7778/44 Admitted to R.N.H. Chatham 7.2.44 (Duodenal Ulcer) discharged CW 7736/44 6.2.44 Fit for ?futher? service |
| Gazette 29.2.44 Granted permission to wear the Insignia of the Order of SUVOROV (First degree) conferred by the Presidium of the Supreme Council of the U.S.S.R. for distinguished services in securing the passage of convoys to the U.S.S.R. |
| Gazette 1.1.46 Created Baron (New Year Honours) |
| H&A 1005/44 T.L. appreciation on 17/10/44 for outstanding contribution made in the operations in the invasion of Normandy |
| Gazette 28.5.46 Awarded Legion of Merit Degree of Commander bestowed by President of the United States of America (?uninvested? permission to wear) for distinguished service to the Allied cause throughout the war. |
| Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the ?Merit? with the... for valiant services rendered by the Royal ?Navy? during the war in Europe |
| Captain's Confidential Reports | ||
| Source: ADM 196/89 -Captain's Confidential Report | ||
Date |
Remarks | Reporting Officer |
| Promoted to Comr for Jutland services | ||
| Gazette 16 July 19 | D.S.O. for distinguished services in comd of "Onslow." | |
| 16 Jan 24 | A very experienced & capable destroyer offr. Has been for some time S.N.O. in Irish waters & appears to have carried out his duties in an able & tactful manner. He is personally a v. nice fellow. | Capt. Leveson Gower (Capt. D) |
| Apr to Aug 1926 | I have a v. high opinion of Capt. T. During the short time he has been with me in 6th Flotilla, I have noticed a remarkable change for the better in the efficiency of that Flotilla. A thoroughly loyal and capable Capt. (D) who is certain to do well. Recomd for futher & more responsible employment. | Comdre (D) Colin Maclean |
| 9/26 to 1/27 | Exceptional. Full of energy & a great example to his
subordinates: he has very strong views on all professional subjects. He
has worked very hard in improving the efficiency of his Flotilla &
the results obtained have been on the whole satisfactory. Tactful with
his subordinates & an agreeable personality. VG physique & social
qualities. Fir & recomd for more responsible employt. Adm Oliver fully concurs & adds: " A very outstanding Captain." |
Comdre (D) W. de M. Egerton |
| 12 Dec 27 | An offr. of marked force of character & considerable ability. Has sound opinions & military knowledge, and expresses his opinions well & convincingly. He holds his views tenaciously & strikes me as a man who would be as tenacious in action as in discussion. He has worked vigourously, throwing himself into every subject, & has broadened his outlook greatly. Is cheerful & inspires confidence in anyone who works with him. He has the valuable qualities of not being satisfied with compromises in thought, and of requiring a clear & well understood decision. He is capable of dealing with major strategical problems. | V/A Richmond Commandant of Impreial Defence College |
| 9/6/28 to 8/4/29 | An exceptional offr. with outstanding qualities of leadership, influence, tact, personality, physical & social qualities. In my opinion should go far. Recommd for more responsible employt. | Capt. Colvin (S.O.T.C.) Forwarded by Adml Brock |
| 9/6/28 to 28/4/29 | Capt. Tovey is an able officer & I can definitely recommend him for appointment to a large ship. | Adml Brock |
| 4/29 to 4/30 | (c), (f), (g) Exceptional; (d), (h) Above average. An offr of marked personality & ability. His knowledge of professional & general questions is very extensive & he has the gift of fluently expressing his views with clearness, conviction, tact & courage. His services at the Tactical School have been of the greatest value. (k) Yes | Capt. S.R. Bailey |
| 4/30 to 5/32 | (c) to (h) - all but (e) 8; (e) & (i) I.K.; (j), (m) Yes; (l) - I.K. as regards work at sea. Has carried out his duties as N.A. 2 S.L. with much zeal & tact & has supervised a reorganisation of 2 S.L.'s Office to much advantage of Officers' Records. | Adm Fuller (2. S.L.) |
| 12/4/32 to 14/9/33 | (c), (d), (f), (h) - 7; (e) - 9; (g), (i), (l) - 8; (j),
(m) - Yes; A very fine, gallant fellow, and a first rate Captain of a
Ship. He handles his Ship which, in certain wind and weather conditions is the reverse of handly, admirably. When in Line, he has always been what I never could get his predecessor to be, matey. Never, in the nearly two years he has been under me, have I had to make the signal: "Rodney astern of Station." The more appropriate one would have been "Don't knock! Come in!" though she has never either knocked or come in. A Man of strong and forceful personality. A strict disciplinarian. A particularly straight and honest character. He shares with me a peculiarity of temperament which, in myself, I describe as tenacity of purpose, but, in him, obstinacy. This peculiarity has never, for an instant, affected his intense loyalty to me, or to my orders or wishes. His attitude of mind has been, I imagine: "He's wrong, but I'll do it!" and he has done it fortwith, and with good will and zeal. The form that, in my opinion, this "obstinacy" takes is that it does not enter into his philosophy that his method might be wrong. Would he but cultivate the sense of humour which I am convinced is latent in him, he would be the ideal leader and commander of Men. Strong, healthy and of fine physique, An exceptionally good golfer. He is not, by nature, socially inclined, but his high sense of duty impels him, especially when acting independently and as representing the Country and showing the flag, to entertain largely and generously. He has brought his ship to a high state of fighting efficiency and, except for taking the exercise which is essential to keeping himself fit, he never leaves her. I recommend him strongly for promotion to, and employment in, Flag Rank, and would welcome him most warmly as a Flag Officer in any Fleet under my command. In "special marking" I assess him as 90." Admiral Sir John D. Kelly |
|
| Sept. 1932 | A most satisy inspn of Rodney by Adm Sir J Kelly | |
| 14/9/33 to 31/8/34 | (c), (g) 7; (d) 6; (e), (f), (h), (i), (l) - 8; (j), (m) Yes; An officer of considerable professional knowledge, who has commanded "Rodney" with great success and handled her very well. Has considerable personality, is looked up to and generally respected. A fine officer. Strong and active mentally and physically. Lacks a sense of humour and is inclined to magnify trifles in consequence. Somewhat conceited and opinionated and apt in consequence to take a rather narrow view. This no doubt will improve with wider responsibility. | Ad Sir W. Boyle C-in-C |
| 30/1/35 to 3/12/35 | (c), (e), (f0, (g), (h), (l) 9; (d) 8; (j) & (m) Yes. I have known Admiral Tovey through many years of service and the early high opinion I found iof his value in the service has been more than confirmed. I should expect to see him rise to command. | Admiral Hugh Tweedie |
| New Year Honours 1937 | C.B. (Military) | |
| 4th Dec 1935 to 30th June 1937 | (c) to (h) 9; (l) 9. I am more than satisfied with his fitness for position of Commodore R.N. Barracks, Chatham, in which command he has shown outstanding ability & understanding. His sound appreciation of the conditions obtaining on the lower deck & the men's outlook have resulted in creating a fine modern discipline in the Depot. The Petty Officers & men have been splendidly ??? ot & Chatham teams have consistently won at the Royal Tournament in boxing, swimming &c. Rear-Admiral Admiral Toveykeeps himself thoroughly fit mentally & physically, has great character & personality & plenty of moral courage. He is respected & admired by Officers & men alike & is obviously suitable for high command afloat & ashore. His zeal & energy are commendable & he wastes nobody's time. He is definitely the modern Admiral & can be relied upon to uphold the best traditions of the Service & country anywhere. | Admiral Sir Edward Evans |
Letter in file: |
||
| K.C.B. (Military) - New Year, 1941 | ||
| Note in file: Admiral Sir J.S. (sic) TOVEY, K.C.B., D.S.O., Commander-in-Chief, Home Fleet. Awarded K.B.E. for distinguished services in the masterly and determined action in which the German Battleship Bismarck was destroyed. (London Gazette of 14.10.41) |
||
| Note in file: Admiral of the Fleet Sir John Cronyn Tovey, G.C.B., K.B.E., D.S.O. Awarded the Order of Suvrov, First Degree. For distinguished services in securing the passage of convoys to the U.S.S.R. (L.G. 29.2.44) |
||
| Commander's Confidential Reports | ||
| Source: ADM 196/ | ||
| Date |
Remarks | Reporting Officer |
| Sources | ||
| 1 | ADM 196/49 - Service History | National Archives |
| 2 | ADM 196/91 - Captain's Condential Report | National Archives |
| 3 | Times, 13 January 1971 | Worcestershire County Council Library Service |
| 4 | Times, 5 April 1916 | Worcestershire County Council Library Service |
| 5 | London Gazette (various dates) | www.gazettes-online.co.uk |