Sir Henry Walford Davies was an English composer, organist, and educator who held the title Master of the King's Music from 1934 until 1941. He served with the Royal Air Force during the First World War, during which he composed the Royal Air Force March Past, and was music adviser to the British Broadcasting Corporation, for whom he gave commended talks on music between 1924 and 1941.
Walford Davies
Walford Davies in the ceremonial uniform of a Knight Commander of the Royal Victorian Order with Lady Davies, Windsor Castle, c. 1940
Walford Davies (left) in about 1932 with fellow musicians Sir Hugh Allen (centre) and Cyril Rootham (right)
Master of the King's Music
Master of the King's Music is a post in the Royal Household of the United Kingdom. The holder of the post originally served the monarch of England, directing the court orchestra and composing or commissioning music as required.
The first appointed Master of the King's Musick, Nicholas Lanier
Sir Edward Elgar, Master, 1924–34
Sir Peter Maxwell Davies