Henry Walford Davies (1869-1941) was born in Oswestry, Shropshire. After a choristership at St George’s Chapel, Windsor, under Sir Walter Parratt, he studied at the Royal College of Music, where he was taught by Parry and Stanford. In 1898 he was appointed Organist of the Temple Church. During the First World War years, Davies joined the Committee for Music in War Time under Parry’s chairmanship and was Director of Music of the Royal Air Force. Davies was elected Professor of Music at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth, in 1921, returning to St George’s Chapel, Windsor, as Organist in 1927. He was knighted in 1922 and held the title of Master of the King’s Music from 1934, succeeding Elgar upon his death.

from notes by John Challenger © 2022