Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Four: Captain W. P. Townshend, Royal Naval Reserve and Mercantile Marine, who was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s Medal in bronze for attempting to save life in Cape Town harbour in 1900

1914-15 Star (Lieut. W. P. Townshend. R.N.R.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Lt. Commr. W. P. Townshend. R.N.R.); Royal Naval Reserve Decoration, G.V.R., silver and silver-gilt, hallmarks for London 1920, unnamed, mounted as worn, good very fine (4) £240-£280

William Pearson Townshend was born in London in 1875 and entered the Mercantile Marine, being employed by the Peninsula and Oriental Steamship Company. He was awarded the Royal Humane Society’s bronze medal (unsuccessful) in 1900 for attempting to save life in Cape Town Harbour in 1900- a man by the name of Bannard had been lost overboard and Townshend, who was asleep at the time, rushed on deck and got into a small boat. He dived four times but could not find Bannard

Townshend passed his Master’s Certificate in 1903, and was commissioned Sub-Lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve on 9 July 1904. He was promoted Lieutenant on 13 December 1907, and served during the Great War in H.M.S. Pembroke, H.M.S. Edgar, and H.M.S. Queen Victoria. He was promoted Lieutenant-Commander on 13 December 1915, and for his services during the Great War was Mentioned in Despatches and awarded the Russian Order of St. Anne, 2nd Class. Promoted Commander on 31 December 1920, he relinquished his commission in the Reserve on 31 December 1925, being granted the honorary rank of Captain. Remaining in the Mercantile Marine, he was awarded the Greek Naval Merit of Meal in silver in 1932 for his role in the rescue of the crew of the Greek steamer Theodoros Bulgaris, whilst in command of the P. & O. Steamer Viceroy of India, in the Bay of Biscay. He finally retired in 1935.

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