These WWII medals awarded to a RAAF Leading Aircraftman Edward Arthur Gostling have had quite a journey. The most recent custodian was Wendy P-M who posted about the medals on a military history research. She had found the medals amongst her recently deceased brother's 'huge collection of anything military related'.
The medals immediately presented me with two conundrums. The medals are hand engraved as can be seen in the pictures. Luckly I know that early issue RAAF medals were named in this fashion rather then being impressed. Secondly, other than the nominal roll entry, I couldn't find any other public record for Edward Arthur Gostling. I did find a Edward Ernest Arthur Gostling and through a process of elimination determined this was the same person.
Edward was included on a Ancestry family tree owned by Leanne. This tree indicated Edward had two daughters. While Leanne wasn't immediately able to provide me with contact details, she went to great lengths to track down Edward's daughter Helen.
Helen and I have been communicating by email and in passing I mentioned I live near Merimbula and work in Canberra. As it turns out, Helen's sister Carol, Edward's other daughter, lives in the same area and is currently in Canberra. Plans are in place for me to physically hand Edward's medals to his daughter.
Thank you to both Wendy and Leanne. The returned medal tally is now 2816.
Glyn Llanwarne Thank you so much for the work you do Glyn, I’m thrilled that they have found their way back to a family member, which is where they belong.
ReplyDeleteThank you so very much Glyn and others who have enabled the miraculous return of my fathers war medals to my sister and I. We are forever grateful that we can share more of our families heritage with them now after all these years! Helen
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