Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips | |
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![]() Vice Admiral Tom Phillips in March 1940 | |
Birth name | Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips |
Nickname(s) | Tom Thumb |
Born | Pendennis Castle, Falmouth, Cornwall | 19 February 1888
Died | 10 December 1941 South China Sea, off Kuantan, Malaya | (aged 53)
Allegiance | United Kingdom |
Service/ | Royal Navy |
Years of service | 1903–1941 |
Rank | Admiral |
Commands | Force Z (1941) Eastern Fleet (1941) China Station (1941) Home Fleet Destroyer Flotillas (1938–39) HMS Hawkins (1932–35) 6th Destroyer Flotilla (1928–29) HMS Campbell (1928–29) HMS Verbena (1924–25) |
Battles/wars | |
Awards | Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath |
Admiral Sir Tom Spencer Vaughan Phillips, KCB (19 February 1888 – 10 December 1941) was a Royal Navy officer who served 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 one of the highest ranking Allied officers killed in battle during the Second World War.[A]