WW1 NAVAL INTELLIGENCE CMG ST ANNE ORDER OF RISING SUN MEDALS ADMIRAL NUGENT RN

Offered is the rather interesting C.M.G. group of seven awarded to Vice-Admiral R. A. Nugent, Royal Navy, who served as Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence from 1916 to 1918.

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel; 1914 – 15 Star, impressed named CAPT. R.A. N UGENT. R.N.; British War and Victory Medals (1914 – 18), impressed named CAPT R.A. NUGENT. R.N.; French Republic, Legion of Honour, breast Badge, with Rosette upon riband, gold and enamel, gold mark to obverse downward tassel; Japan, Empire, Order of the Rising Sun, 3rd Class neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, red cabochon at centres; Russia, Imperial, Order of St. Anne, neck Badge, with Swords, silver-gilt Badge of Continental manufacture, silver mark to loop, 50mm. 1914-15 trio and Legion of Honour court mounted for display; Vice-Admiral's shoulder boards, silver, bullion thread and cap badge. Medals come with copies of service records, medal rolls, and research.

C.M.G. London Gazette 3/6/1918.

French Legion of Honour London Gazette 21/6/1918.

Japanese Order of Rising Sun London Gazette 8/3/1920.

Vice Admiral Raymond Andrew Nugent was born on 25/2/1870 at Dublin, Ireland, the son of Major General Charles Lavallin Nugent. He entered the Royal Navy on 15/7/1883 as a cadet on the H.M.S. Britania. Commissioned as a Midshipman on15/9/1885 he was steadily promoted over the next 40 years finishing as a Vice Admiral on 24/11/1925.

He served on a variety of H.M. Ships and shore bases commanding the following H.M. ships and appointments: T.B. 102 . H.M.S. Janus (27 Knotters, early Torpedo Boat Destroyer) H.M.S. Spitfire (27 Knotters, early Torpedo Boat Destroyer).H.M.S. Leander (second class protected cruiser). 4th Destroyer Flotilla, H.M.S. Highflyer (Second Class Protected Cruiser). H.M.S. Swiftshure (Triumph Class Pre-dreadnought). H.M.S. Argonaut (Diadem Class First Class Protected Cruiser). He had seen active service in China in 1900 (Medal) and in the Persian Gulf in 1914 (Medal & clasp).

H.M.S. Albemarle (Duncan class pre-dreadnought battleship) June 1915 – 19/9/1916. 7/11/1915 when off Dunnet Head (near Thurso), Albemarle reported having her fore bridge carried away in heavy sea, her Commander (T) and one man lost overboard, and fourteen men badly injured. Nugent survived being washed onto the upper deck. She could only be steered with her engines from the aft conning tower, and she was taking in water.

The Commander-in-Chief, Sir John R. Jellicoe, wrote: 'I fear Albemarle will be delayed some little time for repairs. The state of affairs is almost inconceivable. She was swept clear forward. The Lieut (G) in the lower fore top is the only officer who knows exactly what occurred as everyone else was either killed or injured & knocked out. The lower fore top filled with water & the Lieut (G) told me the green water came up to the lower part of the top. The majority of the bridge was found on the upper deck in small pieces … The ship was going too fast, 16 knots, for the strong wind against extraordinary spring tides in the Firth, but Fremantle did not realise the conditions & I am not surprised & I do not think he can be really blamed.'

He served as the Assistant Director of Naval Intelligence Division, 30/9/1916-22/8/1918, during which he played a key role within Operation Dreadnought, the anti-U-Boat intelligence operation in the Baltic Sea. The Intelligence Division was composed of a Director, an Assistant Director, fourteen Naval and Marine officers, and thirteen civilian staff.

He was made Naval Aide - de - camp to Kin George V on 1/111919 and promoted Rear-Admiral on 25/3/1920. Promoted Vice-Admiral on retirement on 24/11/1925 and died on 13/9/1959 at War Memorial Hospital, Gosport.

Note on his personal fil: Difficulties experienced with the Canadian workmen engaged for the Kolar Railway. F.D. (Foreign Department) express thanks for Capt N’s assistance in the matter. T.L.S also convey their approbation for his proceedings.