Orders, Decorations, Medals and Militaria

Pair: Artificer Engineer W. Polwarth, Royal Navy, who was killed in action when H.M.S. Mary Rose was sunk off Lerwick on 17 October 1917

British War and Victory Medals (Art. Eng. W. Polworth. R.N.) good very fine (2) £70-£90

William Polworth was born in Aberdeen on 18 May 1879 and joined the Royal Navy as an Acting Engine Room Artificer Fourth Class on 30 June 1902. Advanced Acting Chief Engine Room Artificer Second Class on 1 September 1914, he served during the Great War in H.M.S. Mary Rose from 27 April 1915, and was confirmed in his rate on 1 September 1915. Awarded his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal on 1 August 1917, he was commissioned Artificer Engineer on 1 October 1917, and was killed in action when H.M.S. Mary Rose was sunk by two German cruisers approximately 70 miles east of Lerwick whilst escorting a convoy of 12 merchant ships from Norway. He is commemorated on the Chatham Naval Memorial.