TOPIC:

Rob D The NZDF sent me replacement medals of all of Ernest Jeffs’s service medals that were misplaced by them as they were all applicable to NZ service ie WW1 and WW2. Their letter to me explains that the Boer War Medal was awarded in England where he volunteered and they could not replace that one so my daughter bought me a replica of this medal…..I hope that satisfies your curiosity.

I want his back in my possession.

Rob D

Hi Phil,

Thanks for clearing up the misunderstanding that I had after reading the news article. Now that I understand that you have since received replacement medals, it sure does make a lot of sense.

Best of luck in tracking down your Great Uncles military medals and I hope they are returned one day soon to you and your family.

Trev

My photos to you do not download.

Rob D All medals except Boer war medal were replaced and engraved by NZDF as Ernest lived in NZ in WW1 and WW2 and went to war as a New Zealander. They could not replace QSA medal as he went to Boer War in England, where he fought for the British. My daughter bought me a replica of that one, but I need his two bars now as the bars I have are incorrect.

Phil - just re-caught up with this thread.

I believe the campaign medals for all three wars had to be claimed and as they were all personalised they in effect did not exist until a claim was received. They were also produced some time after the event e.g. they did not start to issue WW1 medals until 1920. Your Great Uncle died in 1947 and hence may not have got round to claiming his WW2 campaign medals and what you possess are in effect his WW2 medals. He may never, like my maternal grandfather, have claimed his WW1 medals and in any case if he had they would have been issued to him. So it may be that the WW1 medals you have are in effect his WW1 medals.