Vice Admiral John Knowles Im Thurn, (7 March 1881 – 5 July 1956) was a British

Royal Navy The Royal Navy (RN) is the naval warfare force of the United Kingdom. It is a component of His Majesty's Naval Service, and its officers hold their commissions from the King of the United Kingdom, King. Although warships were used by Kingdom ...

officer who was Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff from 1931 to 1933.

Biography

Im Thurn joined the Royal Navy in January 1895, and was promoted to the rank of

lieutenant A lieutenant ( , ; abbreviated Lt., Lt, LT, Lieut and similar) is a Junior officer, junior commissioned officer rank in the armed forces of many nations, as well as fire services, emergency medical services, Security agency, security services ...

on 15 January 1902. In August that year he was posted to the torpedo boat depot ship , serving with the

Mediterranean Fleet The British Mediterranean Fleet, also known as the Mediterranean Station, was a formation of the Royal Navy. The Fleet was one of the most prestigious commands in the navy for the majority of its history, defending the vital sea link between ...

. He served in the

First World War World War I or the First World War (28 July 1914 – 11 November 1918), also known as the Great War, was a World war, global conflict between two coalitions: the Allies of World War I, Allies (or Entente) and the Central Powers. Fighting to ...

, mainly with

wireless telegraph Wireless telegraphy or radiotelegraphy is the transmission of text messages by radio waves, analogous to electrical telegraphy using cables. Before about 1910, the term ''wireless telegraphy'' was also used for other experimental technologies fo ...

and signalling duties, and was promoted to the rank of

captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader or highest rank officer of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police depa ...

on 30 June 1918. After the war he held several staff appointments, as Assistant Director Electrical Section in the Torpedoes and Mining department until 1920, then Director of the Signal Department until 1921. He was captain of from 1923 to 1925, during which time the ship participated in a promotional tour of various ports around the world, the World

Cruise of the Special Service Squadron In 1923–24, battlecruisers , and the Special Service Squadron sailed around the world on The Empire Cruise, making many ports of call in the countries which had fought together during the First World War. The squadron departed Devonport on 27 ...

. In March 1931 he was appointed Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff, a senior appointment in the Royal Navy. He served in this position until 1933, when he was appointed commanding officer of the

1st Cruiser Squadron The First Cruiser Squadron was a Royal Navy squadron of cruisers that saw service as part of the Grand Fleet during World War I, then later as part of the Mediterranean during the Interwar period and World War II. It was first established in 1 ...

in the Mediterranean Fleet. He was promoted to

vice-admiral Vice admiral is a senior naval flag officer rank, usually equivalent to lieutenant general and air marshal. A vice admiral is typically senior to a rear admiral and junior to an admiral. Australia In the Royal Australian Navy, the rank of vic ...

in January 1935, and retired from service later the same year.

Family

Im Thurn was married to Margaret Elizabeth Fleming.

References

External links

*http://www.hmshood.com/crew/biography/imthurn_bio.htm * {{DEFAULTSORT:Im Thurn, John Knowles 1881 births 1956 deaths Royal Navy vice admirals Companions of the Order of the Bath Companions of the Order of St Michael and St George Commanders of the Order of the British Empire