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Auction: 20001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals - conducted behind closed doors
Lot: 1079

(x) A silver presentation medal awarded to Admiral of the Fleet Lord Roger John Brownlow Keyes, 1st Baron Keyes of Zeebrugge and Dover, G.C.B., K.C.V.O., C.M.G., D.S.O.

French Marine Academy Prize Medal, 42mm, the reverse engraved 'AMIRAL DE LA FLOTTE SIR ROGER KEYES', silver, hallmarked and stamped 'Argent' to rim, extremely fine

Roger John Brownlow Keyes was born on 4 October 1872, the second son of General Sir Charles Patton Keyes of the Indian Army. His career remains one of the finest and most varied of any man to hold the post of Admiral. As a young Midshipman he served aboard H.M.S. Turquoise, operating from Zanzibar on slavery suppression missions. Joining H.M.S. Hart as a Lieutenant, he took part in the Relief of Pekin in 1900, and was among the first to scale the city's walls and reach the Legations. During the Great War he masterminded the famous raids on Zeebrugge and Ostend. When the Norway Debate was being held in the House of Commons in May 1940, he made a dramatic entrance. Breaking into the House in full dress uniform and medals, he proclaimed:

'Harwood and his captains are typical of the Navy to-day. There are hundreds of young officers who are waiting eagerly to seize Warburton-Lee's torch, or emulate the deeds of Vian of the "Cossack." One hundred and forty years ago, Nelson said, "I am of the opinion that the boldest measures are the safest," and that still holds good to-day.'

Sold with a very worn William III crown, the reverse engraved 'Adrian Noel Keyes Born 25th Dec. 1962.', the recipient his grandson.

Recommended reading:

Aspinall-Oglander, C., Roger Keyes: Being the Biography of Admiral of the Fleet Lord Keyes of Zeebrugge and Dover (London, 1951).


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Sold for
£200

Starting price
£60