Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A rare Great War ‘German East Africa' D.S.O., post-War M.B.E., Great War United States Navy Cross group of six awarded to Commander P. H. Trimmer, Royal Navy

Distinguished Service Order, G.V.R., silver-gilt and enamel, lacking integral top riband bar; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, M.B.E. (Civil) Member’s 2nd type breast badge, silver; 1914-15 Star (Commr. P. H. Trimmer. R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Commr. P. H. Trimmer. R.N.); United States of America, Navy Cross, silver, nearly extremely fine (6) £2,000-£2,400

D.S.O. London Gazette 22 February 1918:
'In recognition of the good work and arduous service performed by him in command of the Rufigi River Transport Service, between December, 1916, and July, 1917. He carried out the task of transporting motor-boats overland from Dar-es-Salaam to the river near Kibambawe in spite of almost insurmountable difficulties and often under shell fire. The presence of the motor-boats on the upper Rufigi River was of the very greatest assistance to the military operations.'

M.B.E. (Civil) London Gazette 1 June 1953: Captain Philip Henry Trimmer, D.S.O., Royal Navy (Retired), Honorary Secretary, Guildford Unit Committee, Sea Cadet Corps.

U.S.A. Navy Cross London Gazette 29 April 1919:
‘For extraordinary heroism in action and distinguished service as Flag Commander (Royal Navy) on the Staff of the Admiral Commanding on the North America Station.'

Philip Henry Trimmer was born at Alton, Hampshire, on 25 August 1878. He joined the Royal Navy on 15 July 1892, and was promoted Midshipman on 15 December 1894; Sub-Lieutenant on 15 June 1898; Lieutenant on 31 December 1900; Lieutenant-Commander on 31 December 1908; and Commander on 30 June 1914. His rapid promotion was achieved whilst serving aboard a vast variety of ships in this time, notably T.B.108 and T.B.111, and his Officer's Service Record is littered with praise, notably 'zealous, capable, energetic', and 'intelligent'. Nevertheless, he did make a couple of mistakes, firstly losing confidential documents, and secondly, blamed for a lack of supervision which culminated in a fatality aboard H.M.S. Hibernia whilst coaling.

Placed briefly in Command of the cruiser H.M.S. Talbot in the early months of the Great War, Trimmer was transferred to German East Africa in December 1915. Placed in Command of the river transport boats, he was Mentioned in Despatches on 28 January 1917 for 'marked ability on various occasions'. This was followed by the award of the D.S.O. and recommendation for promotion by his superiors. Placed in Command of the yacht Warrior from 20 September 1918 to January 1919, as Flag Commander to Admiral Sir William Grant, Trimmer was further recognised by the United States Government, his Officer's Service Record adding:
'Ability. Professional standing of great assistance when two navies were brought into contact.'

Retiring from the Royal Navy on 13 November 1924, and reverting to the rank of Captain, Trimmer later settled in Guildford and served his local branch of Sea Cadet Corps. He died in Surrey in 1959.