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Auction: 22001 - Orders, Decorations and Medals
Lot: 420

(x) 'I am enjoying myself thoroughly at this game. Of course one has to give up many creature comforts as well as a certain refinement. But the life has a compensation. Although I don't pretend that the life is a natural one (in some respects it is very unnatural) yet it is greatly simplified. One is brought face to face with the elements of existence, the necessity of food and drink, of sleep, and of a certain amount of protection from the weather.'

Bressey writes to Gustav Holst, his former Music Master

A Great War M.M. group of three awarded to Lance-Corporal S. H. Bressey, 15th Battalion, London Regiment, later 2nd Lieutenant, Royal Engineers, who was a student of Gustav Holst at Morley College and who was killed in action on 21 September 1918

Military Medal, G.V.R. (1489 L. Cpl. S. H. Bressey. 15/Lond: R: - T.F.); 1914-15 Star (1489 Pte. S. H. Bressey, 15-Lond. R.); British War Medal 1914-20 (2. Lieut. S. H. Bressey.), mounted for wear, good very fine (3)

M.M. London Gazette 10 August 1916.

Sydney Herbert Bressey was a native of Kynaston Road, Thornton Heath, Surrey. He was educated at Morley College, at which point he became closely acquainted with the legendary composer Gustav Holst, who was Music Master from 1907. Bressey served in France with the 15th Battalion, London Regiment from 17 March 1915 and was serving with 1489 Signal Section of the unit in April 1916 when he wrote at length - on the request of his mother - to his old Master. Having composed Music When Soft Voices Die, he was able to conduct it himself back at Morley College when on leave in June 1917.

Bressey was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant in the Royal Engineers on 24 March 1918 and was killed in action whilst serving with 74th Divisional Signal Company on 21 September 1918, being buried in the Templeux-Le-Guerard Communal Cemetery Extension. A note was placed in the Morley College Magazine:

'It is with deep regret we hear that Lance-Corporal [sic] Bressey was killed in action in France on September 21st. A shell burst near him and death was immediate.

Sydney Bressey's beautiful song, "Music When Soft Voices Die", has been sung more than once at College concerts. Before the War he was a member of Mr Holst's Harmony class. He joined the Army, and the song we know so well was composed in the firing line in 1916. Later he won the Military Medal, and was severely wounded.'

Sold together with copied MIC, besides other extracts and portrait photograph.

Subject to 5% tax on Hammer Price in addition to 20% VAT on Buyer’s Premium.

Sold for
£350

Starting price
£270