Medals Reunited New Zealand©

2/1481 & D6341 ~ ARTHUR HEMMING CURREY     To 12 year old Arthur Hemming Currey the visible face of the NZ Military Forces in 1908 Auckland were the Artillery units that were stationed at Fort Takapuna (included North Head).  By 1912 Arthur (16) was working as a carter for J.J. Craig & Co. on the Auckland waterfront, and at the same time occupied his … [Read more...]

8/293 ~ FREDERICK SMITH     This particular case struck a chord with me almost as soon as I had started the research.  As I delved into Fred Smith’s life I discovered several coincidences which indirectly linked me personally to the Smith family.  These I will relate at the end of this story. Emma M. of Amberley in North Canterbury and husband Dion had … [Read more...]

6/4594 ~ Samuel CHASE     A former RNZN sailor who served on the HMNZS Achilles and Leander during WW2, Ron P. is now an Australia resident.  Ron recently sent a request to the NZDF Personnel Archives and Medals (PAMS) for help to return a WW1 Victory Medal named to a New Zealand soldier: 6/4594 PTE. S. CHASE N.Z.E.F.  With no current information … [Read more...]

NZ 39841 ~ DENYS BOWEN PATTERSON, RNZAF     Gail Harper of Nelson contacted MRNZ in September 2017 asking for advice on how she could find out what her father's WW2 medal entitlement had been.  Gail had previously obtained a copy of the military records of her father's war service in the RNZAF and upon reading it, realised that although there was no … [Read more...]

36369 ~ DANIEL LAURENCE SLOAN     Readers who have cycled the Little River Rail Trail or travelled State Highway 75 from Christchurch to Akaroa on Banks Peninsula will be familiar with Lake Forsyth.  The state highway and Rail Trail borders the SW bank of the lake.   Mid-way along the lake is the Little River Freedom Camp, a small vehicle park on … [Read more...]

20663 ~ THOMAS WALTER TAYLOR     A call to MRNZ from the New Zealand Police in late October 2017 was another of their requests for help to reunite a personal item of military memorabilia.  A bespoke Second World War identity bracelet had been handed in to the New Brighton Police Station, and I would attempt to locate an owner family or … [Read more...]

29235 - MAURICE CLIFTON DRUMMOND - KIA  Belgium   This is yet another case of a Memorial Plaque and medal 'lost' to an NZEF soldier's family by time and circumstance.  The plaque commemorates the death of Maurice Clifton Drummond, a former Motueka Mounted Rifleman and WW1 infantry soldier who was Killed in Action in Belgium, … [Read more...]

26363 & 3/1/5 - FREDERICK HAROLD MINTROM, M.C., M.M.       Foreword:  It is rare for MRNZ to have an opportunity to reunite a double gallantry medal group with the recipient's family.   One of only two NZ Machine-gun Corps recipients of two First World War gallantry decorations, his exploits warrant a book.  I have attempted to provide a … [Read more...]

271581 - THOMAS SEYMOUR PRICHARD, BEM (Mil)      An article appeared in an October edition of the North Canterbury News, relating the return of a WW1 Memorial ('Death') Plaque we had reunited with a Waikari family.  Brian O'Sullivan, also a Waikari resident, read the article and was prompted to recall a medal he had inherited from his grandmother after she died … [Read more...]