Medals Reunited New Zealand©

A shell-shocked soldier from the Hawkes Bay, buried in an unmarked grave in Nelson, is to have his WW1 service remembered and honoured.     When Private Samuel Chase returned to his home in Takapau after the war he was 'damaged', seriously damaged.  He tried to control and suppress the horrors he had been exposed to but Sam's 'scars of war' ran deep and … [Read more...]

7095 ~ JAMES CYRIL HENLEY     In the Beginning ... A phone call a few days after Anzac Day this year from a rather distressed lady (M.) from Napier resulted in her relating to me the story of her family’s anguish after having discovering that their deceased father’s war medals were missing.  Upon further questioning, M. said she had found out the medals had … [Read more...]

22/314 ~ AMY JULIA METGE     From time to time I come across New Zealand military medals offered by a collector which have an unusual surname I am unfamiliar with.  Recently one caught my eye and as I do first, is to consult the AWMM Cenotaph website for some personal background.  In this particular case a British War Medal was named to a WW1 nurse "METGE" … [Read more...]

60075 ~ ARTHUR JAMES CONYNGHAM     A recent scan of medal related websites turned up a pair of WW1 medals and some other items of ephemera of a New Zealand soldier that were about to be auctioned.  Not an unusual occurrence so out of pure interest I looked up the soldier’s service file to learn something about him his service.  In checking the file the … [Read more...]

340572 ~ ALFRED HENRY RETIMANA The purchase from TradeMe of a General Service Medal, 1918-1962 with clasp MALAYA by a private collector some 10 years ago was recently sent to MRNZ, now being surplus to the collector's requirements.  Unlike the campaign medals and stars issued for Second World War service, all official medals issued after the WW2 were named … [Read more...]

897491 ~ ARTHUR BARRIE DOBBS     An unclaimed New Zealand Defence Force Service Medal (NZ DSM) for a soldier who had been conscripted under the CMT scheme in the 1950s has been united with the now retired Fairlie farmer.Barrie DOBBS has lived his whole in South Canterbury.  Born in Waimate, Barrie as he is known is the son of a Waimate farmer Henry … [Read more...]

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 … [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...]