CO 7WnHB Bn Presents WW1 medals to family members in Napier

30 Nov 09

The Commanding Officer 7WnHB Bn, Lt Col Jeremy Harker, was part of a medals presentation where he reunited a trio of WW1 medals to family members of a former NZ soldier who fought and was later wounded during the 1914-18 war.

CO 7WnHB Bn, Lt Col Jeremy Harker, reunites a trio of WW1 medals to family members of a former NZ soldier who fought and was later wounded during the 1914–18 war (AW-09-1202-1).

The medals were found by a member of the Allbrite Recycling in Napier last month on a routine check to separate plastic from other waste materials upon where the worker found a plastic bag and to her surprise contained Three World War 1 medals and a Police Long Service Medal.

As all WW1 and long service medals have the recipients service details stamped around the rim, narrowing the search for the owner. After some research from the Army and Napier Police the family was located and the medals were polished, mounted and returned in a quiet ceremony held at Napier Police station on 30th Nov 09.

The Police Long Service Medal was presented by Police Area Commander Kevin Klaff.

The family were very excited and in awe to be receiving the medals back in such a manner that the great great grandson is looking forward to wearing the medals for the first time at the ANZAC Day Dawn service in Napier next year.