Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A Great War C.M.G., inter-War ‘Royal Yacht’ C.V.O. group of five awarded to Engineer Rear-Admiral H. G. Summerford, Royal Navy

The Most Distinguished Order of St. Michael and St. George, C.M.G., Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, with neck riband, in Garrard, London, case of issue; The Royal Victorian Order, C.V.O., Commander’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse officially numbered ‘C.165’, with neck riband, in Collingwood, London, case of issue; China 1900, no clasp (Engr. H. G. Summerford. R.N., H.M.S. Goliath.); British War and Victory Medals (Eng. Commr. H. G. Summerford. R.N.) minor white enamel restoration to the two Orders, good very fine and better (5) £1,200-£1,600

C.M.G. London Gazette 1 January 1919.

C.V.O. London Gazette 17 August 1923.

Horace George Summerford was born in London on 17 November 1872 and was educated at Keyham College. Rated Probationary Assistant Engineer in July 1891, in May 1892 he was appointed to H.M.S. Anson and served on her until April 1897, when he was promoted to Engineer. He was then appointed to H.M.S. Vernon for a period and in March 1900 joined the newly commissioned H.M.S. Goliath. He was advanced to the Senior List of Engineer Lieutenants in January 1904 and in 1909 was appointed to H.M.S. Caernarvon as Engineer Commander.

In 1912 Summerford joined the Royal Yacht and served in her until 1914 before joining the newly launched H.M.S. Royal Sovereign, in which ship he served throughout the Great War. He was created a Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George in the 1919 New Year’s Honours’ List and rejoined the Royal Yacht around this time, being promoted Engineer Captain. A further four years’ service in the Royal Yacht culminated in 1923 with his appointment as a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order upon leaving the Royal Yacht. He then joined the Atlantic Fleet as Fleet Engineer Officer, and was promoted Engineer Rear-Admiral in 1925, proceeding to the Technical and Administrative Staff at the Nore. He retired in 1929, and died on 22 August 1963.

Note: The recipient’s papers concerning the German surrender in 1918 are held in the Imperial War Museum.