Family group:

A Great War ‘Somme’ M.M. group of three awarded to Private W. Muspratt, Middlesex Regiment, who was wounded by a shell whilst performing his duties as a motorbike despatch rider

Military Medal, G.V.R (34878 Pte W. Muspratt. 5/Middx: R.); British War and Victory Medals (G-34878 Pte. W. Muspratt. Midd’x R.) generally very fine

Pair: Gunner J. S. Muspratt, Royal Artillery

British War and Victory Medals (67072 Gnr. J. S. Muspratt. R.A.) generally very fine or better

Three: attributed to Petty Officer S. N. Muspratt, Royal Navy
1939-45 Star; Atlantic Star; War Medal 1939-45, with campaign card box of issue addressed to ‘Mr S. W. Muspratt, 2 Bladindon Drive, Blendon, Kent’, and Admiralty enclosure, both box and enclosure annotated ‘Norman’s Medals’, very fine or better

General Service 1918-62, 1 clasp, Palestine 1945-48 (19177054 Sigmn. J. C. Muspratt R. Sigs.) in named card box of issue, and with enclosure addressed to recipient’s father at ‘Witch-O-The Weir, Penton, Hook, Staines, Middlesex, generally good very fine (lot) £400-£500

M.M. London Gazette 17 December 1917.

Walter Muspratt served during the Great War with the 5th Battalion, Middlesex Regiment on the Western Front:

‘Filthy water would ooze up to the neck of Walter Muspratt as he waded through the trenches when he fought in France... But the army lad, who delivered messages all over the war zone on his convertible, folding motorbike, could put his shoulders back with pride to display his Military Medal...

He was awarded it for bravery in the field at the bloody Battle of the Somme.

But he said: “I didn’t do much. It was because my head was very bad after a shell had hit me.”

“My jaw was busted and a great long piece of shrapnel was in my cheek and another cut through my jaw. The Somme was a terrible place and I was just a young boy.” (Newspaper cutting included with lot refers).

After the War, Muspratt resided with his father at his grocery shop off the Holloway Road, London, before moving to Manor Cottage, Upper Weare, Axbridge, Somerset. He died in December 1995, aged 98.

John Stanley Muspratt was born in Islington, London, in 1890, and was the brother of the above. He attested for the Royal Artillery at London in June 1905, and served during the Great War with the 151st Siege Battery, R.G.A.

John Colin Muspratt - known as ‘Colin’ - was born in Greenwich, London, in March 1929 and was the son of the above. He enlisted in the Royal Signals in June 1947, and served in Palestine from 29 December 1947. Whilst on active duty Muspratt was involved in a military vehicle accident on 26 April 1948, as a result of which he lost his life. Signalman Muspratt is buried in Khayat Beach British War Cemetery, Haifa, Israel.

Stanley Norman Muspratt - known as Norman to the family - served as a Petty Officer in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. He was born in London, but lived and worked in Eastbourne after the War.

Sold with the following related items and documents: Free French Armband; Army Temperance Medal; photograph of J. S. Muspratt in uniform on his wedding day; photograph of J. C. Muspratt in uniform; photographic image of S. N. Muspratt in uniform; newspaper cuttings and other family photographs, ephemera and copied research.