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507* WWI KBE, DSO Group. An impressive WWI group to Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Arthur Hornell, KBE, DSO, CdeG, MID The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, K.B.E. (Military) Knight Commander’s 2nd type set of insignia, comprising neck badge, silvergilt and enamel, star silver and enamel with vertical pin Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel with integral top riband bar, with Garrard case of issue, the lid has been privately embossed with gilt lettering 1914-Star, naming erased but ...ll is still visible British War and Victory Medal (Capt. R.A. Hornell. R.N.) with MID oakleaves French Croix de Guerre with swords and palm, reverse dated 1914-1917, generally good very fine or better, court mounted as worn together with a copied photograph of Sir Robert in full dress wearing medals plus copied research D.S.O. London Gazette 8 March 1918 ‘for services in Destroyer and Torpedo Boat Flotillas during the period ending 31st December, 1917’ Capt. Robert Arthur Hornell, R.N. Sir Robert was awarded the DSO whilst serving in HMS Nimrod ‘for long and distinguished service in the Harwich Destroyer Flotillas including the action with 11 enemy destroyers on the 10/5/17’, the king personally bestowed these decorations. M.I.D. London Gazette 22 May 1917 ‘in recognition of their services in the Destroyer Patrol Flotilla, Armed Boarding Steamers, & c. during the period which ended on the 30th September, 1916’ Croix de Guerre London Gazette 17 May 1918 K.B.E. London Gazette 1 July 1941 Vice-Admiral Sir Robert Athur Hornell (1877-1949) was born in Larkhall Rise, Clapham, he was educated at Cheam School and HMS Britannia, he joined the Royal Navy in 1892 and was commissioned Lieutenant in 1900 and advanced to Commander in 1912 commanding HMS Rother, he commanded various ships during the Great War including the First Class Torpedo Boat T.B.14 (1914) and HMS Laforey in 1916 for which the ship was involved in substantial night action on 26/27 October. He was promoted to Captain of the Seventh Destoyer Flotilla on 1 October 1918. Post war service saw him as the commanding officer in HMS Princess Margaret which was a minelaying vessel in the Atlantic Fleet during the 1920s amonst other appointments including Naval ADC to the King. Sir Roberts WWII service saw him Commodore of Convoys (HMS Eagket II) and in charge of 12 merchant ships in Operation Menace (attack on Dakar) between 23-25 September 1940, there is a typed copy of a diary kept by Admiral Hornell for the period of 26 February 1941 which covers three attacks on Convoy OB 290 in which he described air and submarine attacks by the enemy. Hornell retired from service in 1944. (5) £2,000 - £3,000
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