The Impressive group of Orders and Medals to Commander Sir Philip John Row, K.C.V.O., O.B.E., R.N.,

The Impressive group of Orders and Medals to Commander Sir Philip John Row, K.C.V.O., O.B.E., R.N., Deputy Treasurer to Queen Elizabeth II (1958-1968): The Royal Victoria Order, Knight Commander's Neck Badge and Star, reverses numbered 1012, cased, extremely fine; The Most Excellent Order of the British Empire, Officer's Breast Badge; 1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; Arctic Star, in box of issue, extremely fine; War Medal 1939-45; Korea Medal 1950-53 (CDR. (S). P. J. ROW R.N.); Jubilee Medal 1935; Coronation Medal 1935; Jubilee Medal 1977; Sweden: Order of the North Star, Knight's Badge; Portugal: Order of Christ,Officer's Badge; France: Legion d'Honneur, Officer's Badge; Federal Republic of Germany: Order of Merit, Grosses Verdienstkreuz; Italy: Order of Merit, Officer's Badge; Iran: Order of the Crown (Taj), Grand Cross; Iraq: Royal Order of El Rafidain; Ethiopia: Imperial Order of the Emperor Menelik II, Knight's Badge; Thailand: Order of the White Elephant, 3rd Class Badge; the O.B.E. and the British medals - except the Artic Star - mounted for wearing, the order insignia cased, all in high grades, [20]; together with two photograph albums - the first recording the Empire Cruise of 1922-23, and the other with wartime studies including H.M.S. Kent in Northern waters, candid studied of General Montgomery addressing naval personnel on deck, officers (including the recipient) preparing a Christmas Cake, views of the vessel's frozen superstructure during the Russian runs, and studies of H.M.S. Glory including waves breaking over her flight deck; all accompanied by a large quantity of associated documents, including Grants of Dignity or equivalent for the K.C.V.O. (and for the preceding C.V.O.), the O.B.E., the North Star, the Legion d'Honneur, the Italian Order of Merit, BRD Merit Cross, the Crown of Iran and the White Elephant; permits to wear the North Star, the Order of Christ, the Legion d'Honneur, the BRD Merit Cross, the Crown of Iran, the El Rafidain, the Order of Menelik II and the White Elephant; transmission slips for the Coronation and Jubilee Medals; official correspondence confirming the awards of the Order of the North Star, the White Elephant, and the Emperor Menelik II; the recipient's invitation and ticket to the 1953 Coronation, a circular pictoral letter of thanks from the Queen in a named envelope; and much other material.Philip John Row followed his father into the Royal Navy in July 1922, when his appointment as Paymaster Cadet was approved; and he was sent to join H.M.S. Thunderer in July of the following year. He served as a Paymaster Midshipman in H.M.S. Repulse during the great 'Empire Cruise' of the Special Service Squadron, which circumnavigated the globe between 1923 and 1924, visiting many of the nations that had fought alongside Britain in the Great War. Rising to Paymaster Lieutenant, he served (as had his father before him) on the staff of the Commander in Chief America and West Indies during 1930. A period in the Royal Yacht Victoria & Albert followed, between 1933 and 1935, during which time he advanced to Paymaster Lieutenant Commander; and in 1937 he went to the Far East as secretary to a Captain on the staff of the Commander in Chief China Station.The outbreak of the Second World War found the recipient back in the UK, serving in H.M.S. Victory and at the Admiralty, and in June 1940 he went to sea in the net laying ship H.M.S. Guardian, before transferring to the heavy cruiser H.M.S. Kent in August 1941. He spent the remainder of his Second World War seagoing service in Kent, during which time he was promoted to Paymaster Commander and made O.B.E. It was in Kent that he endured the privation and dangers of the Artic Convoys. Kent also formed part of the escort for the Aircraft Carriers engaged in Operation Mascot - one of the many attempts to destroy the German battleship Tirpitz. Row went on to serve as Supply Officer in the aircraft carrier H.M.S. Glory during her first two deployments of the Korean War. 

Following his seagoing service Commander Row's career continued, in the Royal Household. He became Secretary of the Privy Purse on the 26th of November 1952 (L.G. 27/02/1953), and Deputy Treasurer to Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II on the 18th July 1958 (via the post of Assistant Keeper of the Privy Purse) remaining in this position for the next decade. In 1969, having been made K.C.V.O. in the New Year Honours, he was appointed Extra Equerry to the Queen. He died in Berkshire on the 28th November 1990.

Sir Philip's remarkable group of orders of chivalry reflects the important role that he played in the Royal Household, as does the collection of Royal Christmas Cards offered in this catalogue. His collection of Maundy Money, also offered herein, was formed in the course of his work in the offices of the Privy Purse. Together with his campaign awards, these represent a long and distinguished career in which his physical courage, conscientious application to duty, and great mental acuity were all devoted to the service of his crown and country. See lot 18 for the orders and medals to this officer's father. Also see lots 73 - 91 and lots 352 - 367.