Orders, Decorations and Medals

Five: Chief Painter 1st Class W. J. Prowse, Royal Navy

1914-15 Star (364558 Ptr. 2, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals (364558 Ptr. 1, R.N.); Defence Medal, unnamed; Royal Navy L.S.& G.C., G.V.R., 2nd issue, fixed suspension (364558 Ptr. 1, H.M.S. Carysfort) mounted for wear; together with a Battle of Jutland Commemorative Medal, 45mm., white metal, contact marks, fine and better (6) £80-100

William John Prowse was born in Plymouth on 18 June 1886. A Building Painter by occupation, he entered the Royal Navy on 1 February 1906. He was ranked as a Painter 2nd Class in January 1911 when at Vivid II. He served on the dreadnought battleship H.M.S. Collingwood, March 1912-May 1917, being promoted to Painter 1st Class in January 1916. As such he served on board the ship at the battle of Jutland, 31 May/1 June 1916, the vessel being part of the 1st Battle Squadron. Amongst the officers serving aboard Collingwood was the Duke of York - the future King George VI. After Collingwood, Prowse next seagoing appointment was on the armoured cruiser H.M.S. Roxburgh, October 1918-April 1919. He served on H.M.S. Carysfort, January-September 1925 and was awarded the long service medal in August. Prowse attained the rank of Chief Painter in August 1926 when on H.M.S. Comus and was still serving in the Royal Navy in 1929. With copied service paper.