Thomas Hope Troubridge

The son of Admiral Sir Ernest Troubridge and Edith Mary (née Duffus), Troubridge was born in Southsea, Hampshire, on 1 February 1895. He joined the Royal Navy in 1908,[1] and served in the First World War. In 1936 he became naval attaché in Berlin.[2] He also served in the Second World War, initially as commanding officer of the aircraft carrier HMS Furious[1] carrying much needed sugar back to Britain in July 1940 and then making a number of air strikes on shipping in Norwegian waters and on the seaplane base at Tromsø through October 1940.[3]

Troubridge was given command of the battleship HMS Nelson in June 1941 and then the aircraft carrier HMS Indomitable in January 1942.[4] In 1943, he was appointed Rear Admiral Combined Operations and flag officer commanding overseas assault forces,[1] and in June 1944 he led the invasion and capture of Elba.[5]

After the war Troubridge was appointed Fifth Sea Lord and then, from 1946, Flag Officer, Air (Home).[2] His last appointment was as Flag Officer, Air and Second-in-Command, Mediterranean Fleet in 1948.[2]

Troubridge married Lily Emily Kleinwort in August 1925. They had four children: Their eldest son, Peter, became 6th Troubridge baronet on death of his cousin in 1963.[6] Their fourth child, Thomas, married Marie Christine von Reibnitz (later Princess Michael of Kent) in 1971: the marriage was annulled in 1978.[7]