The fine Knight Bachelor's Great War C.B. group of nine awarded to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles...

‘If television had come before the movies I might think otherwise, but the cinema today is so cheap and so perfect and so universal in its appeal that I doubt if television can stand up to it for a long time to come.’ So observed Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Carpendale in his capacity as Controller of the B.B.C. in November 1934. The fine Knight Bachelor’s Great War C.B. group of nine awarded to Vice-Admiral Sir Charles Carpendale, Royal Navy, ‘a handsome blue-eyed man with a barking manner’; in a far cry from his distinguished naval career – which included service in the M’wele anti-slavery expedition of 1895-96 - he served as Deputy Director-General and Controller of the B.B.C. in 1923-38, in which role he was noted for his ‘famous quarter-deck manner … belied as often as not by an ultimate twinkle in his eye’ The Most Honourable Order of the Bath, C.B. (Military) Companion’s neck badge, silver-gilt and enamels, complete with neck cravat in its Garrard & Co case of issue; Knight Bachelor’s Badge, 2nd type breast badge, silver-gilt and enamel, hallmarked London 1933, in its fitted case of issue; East and West Africa 1887-1900, for Mwele 1895, no clasp (Lieut. C. D. Carpendale, H.M.S. St George); 1914-15 Star (Capt. C. D. Carpendale, R.N.); British War and Victory Medals, with M.I.D. oak leaves (Commre. 2. Cl. C. D. Carpendale. R.N.); Jubilee 1897, silver; Coronation 1902, silver; Jubilee 1935, good very fine or better (9) £2,000-£2,400 --- Importation Duty This lot is subject to importation duty of 5% on the hammer price unless exported outside the UK --- --- Provenance: Alan Hall Collection, June 2000. Knight Bachelor London Gazette 22 June 1932. C.B. London Gazette 3 June 1918: ‘For war services.’ Charles Douglas Carpendale was born on 18 October 1874, the son of the Reverend William Henry Carpendale and entered the Royal Navy as a Cadet in Britannia in July 1888. A diligent student, he gained 12 months sea time and was immediately appointed a Midshipman in July 1889, in addition to being awarded the Ryder Memorial Prize. Having then served on the Mediterranean station in H.M.S. Collingwood, he was confirmed in the rank of Sub. Lieutenant in October 1893. Appointed to the cruiser St. George - flagship of Rear-Admiral Sir Harry Rawson, C.-in-C. at the Cape of Good Hope, in March 1895, he was advanced to Lieutenant and witnessed active service in the Naval Brigade in anti-slavery operations in 1895-96. The Arab Chief Mbarak, with his stronghold at Mwele, had been slave raiding contrary to new legislation introduced by the British Government and he refused to see a delegation sent to meet him. Reprisals were inevitable, and a Naval Brigade under Rawson marched inland and captured Mwele with a loss of three killed and 11 wounded; just nine no-clasp East and West Africa Medals with the ‘Mwele 1895-96’ edge inscription were awarded to officers. Returning to the U.K. in early 1896, Carpendale obtained a 1st Class Certificate in gunnery in Excellent and was appointed to the command of the torpedo boat destroyer Whiting, in which capacity he was present in the 1897 Jubilee Review and received the Medal. Further foreign service ensued, on the North America and China stations, followed by a appointments in the Naval Ordnance Department at the Admiralty and at the R.N.C. Greenwich, and he was advanced to Commander in June 1904 and to Captain in December 1910. Back at sea in the period leading up to the Great War, he served in the cruiser Edgar, flagship of Vice-Admiral George Le C. Egerton, C.B., Commander in Chief at the Cape of Good Hope and South Africa Station, and in the cruiser Good Hope as Flag Captain to Rear-Admiral Frederick C.D. Sturdee, C.V.O., G.M.G., Commanding the 5th Cruiser Squadron. In September 1914, he took command of the cruiser Donegal, serving with the 6th Cruiser Squadron in the Grand Fleet, and he remained likewise employed until appointed to the command of the light cruiser Colleen in August 1915. Then on relinquishing this appointment in July 1917, he took command of the cruiser Achilles in the North America and West Indies Squadron, prior to ending the war as a Commodore 2nd Class in Charge of Auxiliary Patrol. He was awarded the C.B. in June 1918 and mentioned in despatches (London Gazette 16 September 1919, refers), and appointed an A.D.C. to the King. Carpendale’s final seagoing appointment was in command of the Benbow in 1919-21, in which period he landed a party of Royal Marines at the time of the Occupation of Constantinople during the Greco-Turkish War. He was advanced to Rear-Admiral and – at his own request – was placed on the Retired List in the summer of 1923. He was however advanced to Rear-Admiral (Retired) in October 1926. B.B.C. Subsequently recruited by Lord Reith, he served as Deputy Director-General and Controller of the British Broadcasting Corporation (B.B.C.) in 1923-38, in addition to holding the Presidency of the International Broadcasting Union in 1925-35. Throughout his service he was mainly concerned with administration, but his personal touch was nonetheless widespread and, in emergencies such as the General Strike of 1926, he was always ready and welcome to lend a hand in the studio. His common-sense approach - feet firmly on the ground - was appreciated by all and smoothed the way for the Corporation’s rapid expansion, as well as serving as a means of calming more temperamental members of staff. In fact, Carpendale’s transparent integrity and famous ‘quarter-deck manner’ – always accompanied by a twinkle in his eye and a ready smile – did much to promote confidence in his leadership, so much so that it said the staff adored him. He was certainly well-known for his participation in their social activities, ranging from dances and sporting events to taking part in plays. But such physical activity was very much up his street, his recreations including winter sports, riding and mountaineering. The Admiral, who was appointed a Knight Bachelor in June 1932 and served as the Ministry of Information’s Liaison Officer at the Air Ministry in the Second World War, died in March 1968. Sold with copied record of service and other research.