Success Stories

An Australian Service Medal & An Act of Generosity - Kenneth BURT

Medals Gone Missing thought that they had seen the last of a certain medal, when they were outbid during an ebay auction in March of 2010. However, just when you thought that chivalry was dead; an act of extreme generosity and kindness has reuniteda 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal ofCorporal Kenneth Eric BURT (19th Infantry Battalion, AIF)with his family. The missing war medal (awarded posthumously)has been returned to his cousin, Elsie Moses and she was bowled over by the goodwill gesture ofthe person who purchased the medal via the online auction site.

Having already composed an articlein April, 2009(on behalf of the family of Elsie MOSES), Medals Gone Missing added a 'listing' for the medals of Corporal Kenneth Eric BURT to the Missing Medals Register. Nearly twelve months later, the 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal was spotted for sale on ebay. This solitary medal is one of a set of four (the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star and the 1939-1945 War Medal are still missing). The Medals Gone Missing Administrator contacted Elsie who is on an Aged Pension. An "estimate" of the market price for this type of war medal was made and with a budget in mind, the Medals Gone Missing Administrator was tasked with bidding on behalf of the family. However, the final sale price - way exceeded the maximum bid made for Elsie and the medal was lost.

IMAGE LEFT: Elsie Moses with the 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal of her cousin, NX56118 Corporal Kenneth Eric BURT. He was killed in action during the fighting in Malaya (at Parit Sulong) whilst serving with the 19th Australian Infantry Battalion. Elsie had sat down with Kenneth during Christmas of 1940, whilst he was on final leave. It was the last time that his family would ever see him. Having the medal returned to his family now provides a tangible reminder of one man's service, which cost him his life.

Fearing the worst, contact was made with the seller and a "request" made for him to contact the auction winner. We were bowled over by the extremely generous response from the new owner of the medal. Graham McEWAN from Western Australia had spent a "small fortune" in winning this medal. And without any hesitation whatsoever, he very generously offered to have this medal returned to Elsie immediately. Telephone contact was made and the medal was expediantly sent across the country to Elsie who lives in Sydney. Just to top it off, when Elsie offered to pay Graham for the medal, he flatly refused the offer. Having been in the Militaria business for some time (and having dealt with Collectors for many years) I was totally "blown away" by this act of extreme generosity. It just goes to show, that there are still some true gentlemen in this world.

Graham is a Volunteer Guide at the Western Australian Military Museum and he is a credit to this fine establishment. Well done Graham ..... Corporal Kenneth Eric BURT would be very proud of you !!!

KENNETH'S OTHER THREE MEDALS ARE STILL MISSING ........ CAN YOU HELP? IF YOU KNOW THE WHEREABOUTS OF THESE MEDALS, PLEASE CONTACT THE MEDALS GONE MISSING ADMINISTRATOR SO THAT THE SET CAN BE RE-UNITED.

Ebay Purchased Envelope Returned to Sender - Harry LIDGERWOOD

An "Active Service Cover" (envelope) sent by Tasmanian -Harry Robert LIDGERWOODduring the Second World War was purchased by the MEDALS GONE MISSINGAdministrator on ebay during 2008. Whilst it is unfortunate that the envelope was 'empty' and devoid of the original letter, it was thought that a family member may cherish this piece of memorabilia; whichwas adorned with the handwriting of their ancestor.

Asthe chance offered by a random 'Google' search would have it; Tasmanian Geoff LIDGERWOOD conducted an internet inquiry of his father's name in October of 2009 - which led him to the MEDALS GONE MISSING website. To his joy, he found that this envelope from World War Two had survived. He indicated that all of the letters, written between his father and his mother during the war years had been lost after their passing, in the early to mid 1980's.

IMAGE RIGHT: Geoff LIDGERWOOD of Tasmania, with his father's "Active Service Cover" which was sent to his mother during 1941. The envelope is now safely mounted behind a frame and it's return will become a talking point in Geoff's family.

Lance Sergeant Harry Robert LIDGERWOOD had served with the Second AIF between the 27th of October of 1939 and the 3rd of October, 1943 - with the 2/8th Field Regiment. During that time, he wrote to his sweetheart Olga Phyllis LIDGERWOOD (nee FISH) at the Oatlands in Tasmania; as she worked the telephone exchange there.

Information from the ebay seller, indicates that the "Active Service Cover" had been purchased during a deceased estate sale; which explains how it ended up on ebay. It is truly amazing what items ofmemorabilia survive the years, only to end up on ebay. Thankfully,this item has found it's way back to a grateful son who now has a tangible and personalreminder (albeit as small one) of his father's war service.

In a case of "Return to Sender" - this cherished item has finally found it's way back home; where it belongs.

IMAGE LEFT: The ACTIVE SERVICE COVER written by Lance Sergeant Harry Robert LIDGERWOOD to his wife, Olga in Tasmania during World War Two.

Geoff LIDGERWOOD is the Sales & Marketing Manager for Elmslie Wines Pty Ltd in Legana, Tasmania.