Assistance to the Victorian Police

This search started after I received an email from Detective Senior Constable B Gibson of the Victorian Police. The email described how the medals awarded to NX33899 Cyril Dempster and 3751542 William Maxwell Dempster had come into the possession of the police as well as several photos.   

Cyril enlisted on 17 June 1940 and was reported missing in Malaya on 1 April 1942. Cyril died while a POW at Sandakan. 

William Dempster, based on his medal entitlement, was a National Serviceman. From the information I found on public records I surmised that William was Cyril's nephew. By using the electoral rolls I narrowed down where William lived and found a family by the same name in the general location. I provided this information to Detective Senior Constable Gibson who has now arranged for the medal to be handed back to the family. 

The returned medal tally is now 2767.

Alfred McKay

The background of how this research commenced is explained in this story:

Lost Medals Australia: KIA at Gallipoli 

Another medal Pam and Graham asked me to return was awarded to 295 Alfred Hugh Bartley McKay, 17 Battalion, AIF.  I found Alfred on an Ancestry family tree and sent off a message. I've just been in contact with Alfred's great grand daughter and connected her with Pam and Graham. The medal will be sent to the family in the near future.

The returned medal tally is now 2760.

Almost a WWI trio

This search started with an email from Donna from the Directorate of Honours and Awards. Recently, the 1914-15 Star and British War Medal awarded to 3195 DVR Henry 'Harry' George Lusher were handed in before being forwarded to me. 

Harry's service record is pretty interesting for a couple of reasons. Firstly, Harry applied for the Anzac Medallion in 1967, so where is that now? Secondly, under the stamp denoting the Victory Medal, is another stamp stating the medal was returned in 1923. 

I didn't find much about Harry following the information of his war service other than him on a few Ancestry family trees. I contacted one owner, Kym, who is Harry's great niece. I'll soon post Harry's medals to Kym and information about how to apply for the Victory Medal.

Thank you Donna, it is always a pleasure to help out the Directorate of Honours and Awards. The returned medal tally is now 2759

Australian Service Medal

It isn’t to often I receive contemporary medals. This Australian Service Medal with clasp Kuwait arrived in mail yesterday. It was sent to me by Jackson S who found the medal and wanted to see it returned to the veteran. 

This medal really interests me as it was one of the first occasions the ASM was awarded. The ASM was instituted in 1988 and the Kuwait clasp was awarded for service in 1990-91. The earlier examples had different naming styles between the Services. This version has the name first followed by the service number. Also, the engraving has a shadow effect. The naming is now done using a laser. 

The medal will soon be sent back to Damian we served in the RAN. Thanks to Jackson for sending the medal to me. The returned medal tally is now 2757.