Lot 766
766
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VA… Read more
A Second World War Knight Bachelor's Group of Three to Sir Ralph Metcalfe, Director of Ministry of War Sea Transport 1942-45, Knight Bachelor, 2nd type, silver-gilt and enamel (Hallmarks for London, 1940), in Royal Mint case of issue; Badge of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse inscribed, 'Sir Ralph Metcalfe, 1959-60', in case of issue; Badge of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, neck Badge by W.J. Carroll, 9ct. gold and enamel (Hallmarks for Birmingham, 1961), the reverse inscribed, 'Sir Ralph Metcalfe, Prime Warden, 1963-1964', in case of issue, nearly extremely fine; together with related Group of Eight Dress Miniatures: Knight Bachelor, gilt; British War and Victory Medals; France, Legion of Honour, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, silver-gilt and enamel; Norway, Order of St. Olav, silver-gilt and enamel; U.S.A., Medal of Freedom, with gilt palm; Belgium, Order of the Crown, Third Class, silver-gilt and enamel, extremely fine, mounted as worn (11)

Details
A Second World War Knight Bachelor's Group of Three to Sir Ralph Metcalfe, Director of Ministry of War Sea Transport 1942-45, Knight Bachelor, 2nd type, silver-gilt and enamel (Hallmarks for London, 1940), in Royal Mint case of issue; Badge of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, neck Badge, silver-gilt and enamel, the reverse inscribed, 'Sir Ralph Metcalfe, 1959-60', in case of issue; Badge of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, neck Badge by W.J. Carroll, 9ct. gold and enamel (Hallmarks for Birmingham, 1961), the reverse inscribed, 'Sir Ralph Metcalfe, Prime Warden, 1963-1964', in case of issue, nearly extremely fine; together with related Group of Eight Dress Miniatures: Knight Bachelor, gilt; British War and Victory Medals; France, Legion of Honour, silver, silver-gilt and enamel; Netherlands, Order of Orange Nassau, silver-gilt and enamel; Norway, Order of St. Olav, silver-gilt and enamel; U.S.A., Medal of Freedom, with gilt palm; Belgium, Order of the Crown, Third Class, silver-gilt and enamel, extremely fine, mounted as worn
(11)
Special notice
No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

Sold with the recipient's Identity Bracelet, inscribed, '2/Lieut. R.I. Metcalfe, R.A.F., C. of E.'; Royal Life Saving Society Medal, bronze, 'R. Metcalfe, Mar. 1912'; London Shipping Football League Medals (2), silver-gilt and enamel; other Sports Medals, silver (1), silver and gold (5); Mansion House Mayoralty 1962-63 Presentation Medallion, gilt, in perspex block; and Ancient Order of Foresters, Honorary Member's, silk collar.

Sir Ralph Ismay Metcalfe, Kt., was born in 1896 and was educated at King Edward VI School, Southampton. Having served in the Great War as an Officer in the R.F.C. and R.A.F., he attained the position of Director of the Tanker Division of Messrs. William Cory & Son Ltd. In the Second World War he served at the Ministry of War Transport during 1939-43 and was Director of Sea Transport between 1942-45. For these services he was Knighted. Latterly Metcalfe was a Member of the Port of London Authority, 1949-67, Master of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen of the River Thames, 1959-60 and Prime Warden of the Worshipful Company of Shipwrights, 1963-64. He died in 1977.