John Knowles Im Thurn

Vice Admiral John Knowles Im Thurn, CB, CMG, CBE (7 March 1881 – 5 July 1956) was a British Royal Navy officer who was Assistant Chief of the Naval Staff from 1931 to 1933.

Joh Knowles Im Thurn
Born	7 March 1881
Died	5 July 1956 (aged 75)
Allegiance	United Kingdom
Service/branch	Royal Navy
Years of service	1895–1935
Rank	Vice Admiral
Battles/wars	World War I
Awards	Companion of the Order of the Bath Companion of the Order of St Michael and St George Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Biography

Im Thurn joined the Royal Navy in January 1895, and was promoted to the rank of lieutenant on 15 January 1902.[1] In August that year he was posted to the torpedo boat depot ship HMS Vulcan, serving with the Mediterranean Fleet.[2] He served in the First World War, mainly with wireless telegraph and signalling duties, and was promoted to the rank of captain on 30 June 1918. After the war he held several staff appointments, as Assistant Director of Electrical Torpedo and Mining until 1920, then Director of the Signal Department until 1921.

He was captain of HMS Hood 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.[3]

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 in the Mediterranean Fleet.

He was promoted to vice-admiral in January 1935, and retired from service later the same year.

Family

Im Thurn was married to Margaret Elizabeth Flemming.

References

1. "No. 27457". The London Gazette. 25 July 1902. p. 4740.
2. "Naval & Military intelligence". The Times (36830). London. 26 July 1902. p. 8.
3. http://www.hmshood.com/history/empirecruise/index.htm

External links

• http://www.hmshood.com/crew/biography/imthurn_bio.htm
• Portraits of John Knowles Im Thurn at the National Portrait Gallery, London