Silver salver presented to Sir Henry Oliver

Salver presented to Rear-Admiral, later Admiral of the Fleet Sir Henry Oliver (1865-1965).

Circular salver with a plain top, and scrolled edge decorated with shell and leaf motifs, standing on four feet. The reverse is inscribed: 'PRESENTED TO REAR ADMIRAL HENRY FRANCIS OLIVER C.B. M.V.O. on the occasion of his marriage JUNE 1914 BY HIS OLD SHIPMATES HMS AMETHYST 1882-1885'. Facsimile signatures of: A.P. James, Ernest E. Bray, J. Avery, R.K. Arbuthnot, A.F. Vans Agnew, G. Hickey, N. Bowden-Smith, W.H. Norman, Price Vaughan Lewes, W. Cousins, Arthur W. Turner, R.F. Ayscough, F.W. Fisher, W.F. Tunnard, Charles Inglis.

In 1914 Rear-Admiral Oliver married Beryl (Dame Beryl Oliver GCB), daughter of F E. Carnegy of Lour, who survived him. The salver, together with other memorabilia of the Admiral, were presented to the NMM by the wife of Vice-Admiral R.D. Oliver, nephew of Sir Henry Oliver.

Sir Henry Oliver was known in the Navy for his taciturnity, but was also described as the 'father of modern navigation'. In October 1914 he succeeded Rear-Admiral Hood as Naval Secretary to Churchill, and shortly after became Chief of War Staff at the Admiralty. In March 1918, as Rear-Admiral, he commanded the First Battle-Cruiser Squadron, Grand Fleet, on board the 'Repulse', and eight months later was at the surrender of the German High Seas Fleet off the Firth of Forth. After World War I he was appointed Vice-Admiral Commanding the Home Fleet, and became Second Sea Lord of the Admiralty in 1920. In 1924, as full Admiral, he became Commander-in-Chief of the Atlantic Fleet and was promoted to Admiral of the Fleet in 1928.

Object Details

ID: PLT0165
Collection: Decorative art
Type: Salver
Display location: Not on display
Places: Sheffield
Vessels: Amethyst (1903)
Date made: 1911-1912
People: Oliver, Henry Francis
Credit: National Maritime Museum, Greenwich, London
Measurements: Overall: 45 x 485 mm
Parts: Silver salver presented to Sir Henry Oliver
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