Tom Phillips (Royal Navy officer)
| Sir Thomas Spencer Vaughan Phillips | |
|---|---|
Admiral Sir Tom Phillips
|
|
| Nickname(s) | Tom Thumb |
| Born |
19 February 1888 Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall |
| Died | 10 December 1941 (aged 53) HMS Prince of Wales, South China Sea, near Kuantan, Malaysia |
| Allegiance |
 United Kingdom
|
| Service/branch |
 Royal Navy
|
| Years of service | 1903–1941 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Commands held | British Eastern Fleet |
| Battles/wars |
World War I World War II † |
| Awards |
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath Distinguished Service Order |
Admiral Sir Thomas Spencer Vaughan "Tom" Phillips GBE, KCB, DSO (19 February 1888 – 10 December 1941) was a Royal Navy officer during the First and Second World Wars. He was nicknamed "Tom Thumb", due to his short stature. He is best known for his command of Force Z during the Japanese invasion of Malaya, where he went down with his flagship, the battleship HMS Prince of Wales. Phillips was the highest ranking Allied officer killed in battle during World War II.
Phillips was the son of Colonel Thomas Vaughan Wynn Phillips, Royal Artillery. His mother, Louisa Mary Adeline de Horsey Phillips, was daughter of Admiral Sir Algernon Frederick Rous de Horsey. Phillips was married to Lady Phillips, of Bude, Cornwall.
Phillips was 5'4" tall, smaller even than Lord Nelson. At the time of his death at the age of 53, he was one of the youngest Admirals in the Royal Navy and one of the youngest commanders in chief.
Phillips joined the Royal Navy in 1903 as a sea cadet following education at Stubbington House School. He became a midshipman in 1904 and trained aboard HMS Britannia. He was promoted to sub-lieutenant on 9 April 1908, and to lieutenant on 20 July 1909.
...
Wikipedia