As soon as I saw service number of this solider, it didn't surprise me the reverse of stars in this medal group were un-named. Individuals who enlisted in the early months of WWII were awarded the stars they were entitled as soon as they became available. The stars did not include the service details on the reverse. However, the medals were named on issue. Following WWII, the soldiers who received the un-named medals were offered the choice to retain their stars as they were or return them and have their service details impressed.
These five medals were awarded to QX196 Thomas Foster. A very early enlistee from Queensland.
When he enlisted Thomas was married to Ivy Evelyn (nee Raper) and his service records they had two children. Thomas died in 1966 and Ivy in the 1989.
Their daughter was Ivy June who married Henry Ivan Tebbutt. This is a reasonably uncommon surname and I quickly found this family on several Ancestry tree. One of the children is named Grant but I just couldn't find his contact details. I sent a message one tree owner who kindle passed my request to Sharyn, a cousin of Grant's. Sharyn gave me some great family history background. She also made a comment that she recalled Grant worked for Defence. This was the clue I needed. I was able to track down Grant and we spoke today. The Tebbutt family has a strong history of service to Australia. Grant's father was a located at Gallipoli Barracks during WWII as part of the administration staff for the POW camp. He then went on to be the Staff Officer Grade 3 Training at1 MD. Grant's uncle Stan was a wireless operator in the RAAF and survived being shot down.
Thank you to Del who sent me the medals. Also, thanks to Amanda, Treval and Sharyn for all your assistance. The returned medal tally is now 2938.
