It is often the case that when I commence some research I have a flurry of activity which includes the veteran's service information and the family details when they were serving. Then, I can usually track a person through publicly available records. The next step often involves accessing genealogy web site an often the contact details are old or the account hasn't been accessed for some time. The result is that the initial rush of activity is followed by silence and no progress at all. When I think I have a load of stories to post I have actually nothing. This story, and the one to follow, are the opposite of this set of circumstances.
In late December I received a parcel from Lauren D who lives in Victoria. She had come across three medals awarded to two different WWII veterans and asked me to return them. This story is about the War Medal and Australian Service Medal 1939-45 awarded to 125596 John William Wood. As soon as I saw the naming of the medals I knew I was dealing with a member of the RAAF. The number was the first clue but the naming style that is impressed on the rim of the medal is distinctively RAAF. At the time these medals were awarded, each service was responsible for the naming and distribution of medals. The RAAF style is very that the name is rather more heavily impressed than those awarded to Army members.
From John's record his personal details made it easy to follow him, it even included the name of his first born son. However, the records dried up after about 1980 and I couldn't make to final leap to current contact details. Although what was consistent was that all the records indicate John and his family remained in Victoria.
John died in 1985 and included on an Ancestry tree belonging to Phil G. Phil had recently accessed his account so I fired of a message explaining why I was looking to contact John's family. It was through this connection that I was able to speak to John's son Peter this morning. Peter is a National Serviceman and understands that the medals are easily identifiable as his father's. I'll post these medals to Peter in the very near future.
Thank you to Lauren for sending me these medals and to Phil for the information which was so helpful in finalising this research.
The returned medal tally is now 2950.
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