Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

A well documented group of four awarded to Commissioned Bandmaster W. J. Papworth, Royal Marines

1914-15 Star (R.M.B. 1096, Bdmr. 1. W. J. Papworth.); British War and Victory Medals (R.M.B. 1096. Bdmr. W. J. Papworth. ); Royal Navy L.S. & G.C., G.V.R., 1st issue (R.M.B. 1096 W. J. Papworth. Bdmr 1. R.M.B.), mounted as worn, with the recipient’s related miniature awards and Royal Marines cap badge; and a Worshipful Company of Musicians of London Prize Medal, silver, the edge engraved ‘Band Master William James Papworth, R.M. 21st. January 1919.’, heavily polished and worn, therefore good fine, the reverses better (5) £400-500

William James Papworth was born on 2 October 1891 at Cambridge, and enlisted in the Royal Marines at London on 28 April 1906. After learning the art of Bandmastership at the Royal Naval School of Music, he served during the Great War as a Bandmaster in H.M.S. Emperor of India from 11 October 1914 until 17 July 1918. He transferred to H.M.S. Carnarvon on 8 October 1918, and to H.M.S. Lowestoft on 14 July 1921. He was awarded his Royal Navy Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 11 November 1924, and was promoted to Bandmaster (Warrant Officer) on 29 December 1927, having received an L.R.A.M. diploma in Bandmastership the previous September. He served in H.M.S. Kent during her Far East tour to Japan, Indo-China, Siam, Canton, Hong Kong, Malaya, and India, crossing the Equator for the first time on 28 December 1928. He received a Commission in the Royal Marines on 29 December 1937.

Sold with the recipient’s conductor’s wooden baton; two presentation batons with silver finishes, one of which inscribed ‘H.M.S. Emperor of India Presented to Bandmaster Papworth by the “Revue” Prty Dec. 1916.’; and a ceremonial ivory baton with silver finishes, inscribed ‘From Captain & Ward Room Officers H.M.S. Carnarvon to Bandmaster W. J. Papworth’, in fitted case; and a significant documentary archive including Commission document appointing the recipient a Commissioned Bandmaster in the Royal Marines, dated 29 December 1937; Warrant document appointing the recipient a Warrant Officer Bandmaster in the Royal Marines, dated 29 December 1927; Royal Academy of Music Diploma for Licentiate (L.R.A.M.), dated 27 October 1927; Royal Marines Certificate of Education First Class; Royal Marines Band Corporal’s First Class Certificate; Royal Naval School of Music Bandmaster’s Certificate; the recipient’s parchment Certificate of Service; two large photograph albums containing photographs, newspaper cuttings, dinner invitations and menus, sketches, and the recipient’s ‘Crossing the Line’ booklet and certificate; two group photographs; and a portrait photograph of the recipient.