Comments on: HMAS SYDNEY FOUND – BUT WAR MEDALS STILL MISSING?

By: gary

gary — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 21:13:28 +0000

Of course, Greg is absolutely correct and I thank him for bringing our careless mistake to our attention. The story now stands corrected. Yours gratefully, Gary Traynor (Administrator)

By: greg swinden

greg swinden — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 08:04:00 +0000

Those lost onboard SYDNEY on 20 November 1941 were not entitled to the PACIFIC STAR as the dat of commencement for this award was 8 December 1941. They were entitled to the 1939-45 Star as this was the ‘catch all’ award for those theatres not covered by other awards (or before ‘time’ started for these areas of operation). Thereforea man serving in SYDNEY at the time she was lost (who had not been to the Mediterranean) should be entitled to 1939-45 STAR, WAR MEDAL 1939-45 and Australian Service Medal 1939-45.

By: gary

gary — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 23:46:23 +0000

Hello Kristy. I am very pleased to hear that you have your uncle’s medals and that they are not missing to your family. Whilst you are certainly not obliged, I would welcome you to send us in a photograph of you holding the medals and you can write a short story as a tribute to the life of George. There is absolutely no charge or costs to post this on our site. Thanks again for sharing that with us. Yours in commemoration. Gary Traynor (Administrator)

By: George glasheen

George glasheen — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 06:15:17 +0000

I have my uncles service medals he was George Edward Coleman leading wireman lost on the hmas Sydney in ww2 he was posthumously awarded these.

By: Lisa Smidmore

Lisa Smidmore — Tue, 26 Jul 2011 12:01:17 +0000

I have found some HMAS sydney memerbilia like christmas menu 1940 and other stuff photos etc which were from uncle who was married to my dads sister. He had no family and I don’t know where to start I live in Hastings Victoria 0423689012 pls reply let me know where to start. thanks Lisa

By: gary

gary — Tue, 31 May 2011 00:29:33 +0000

Hello Kallum,

I believe that Stoker Archibald THOMSON was definitely entitled to war service medals and exactly what type will depend on where he was, prior to the engagement with Kormoran. I will contact you via your email. Kind regards Gary Traynor (Administrator)

By: Kallum P

Kallum P — Sun, 24 Apr 2011 09:53:18 +0000

I am a relative of Stoker Archibald James Thomson, who was aboard the Sydney at the time of it’s destruction. I am wondering, would he be entitled to the 1939-45 medal or any others. If possible could you please find out for me?

Cheers,
Kallum

P.S:Email me back if you have any info

By: gary

gary — Thu, 07 Apr 2011 22:12:45 +0000

Hello there Olivia,

Thank you for contacting Medals Gone Missing. As he was a crew member of HMAS Sydney, we shall place a listing for his medals in the hope that they may eventually be located for you and your family. Kind regards Gary Traynor (Administrator)

By: Olivia Hall

Olivia Hall — Tue, 05 Apr 2011 07:07:19 +0000

Hi,
I am unsure of the whereabouts of the medals. I am the Great – Great Niece of Leading Cook (S) Walker. He was one of the men that was not on board Sydney during in Africa / Greece. I have since had replica medals made. I would be honoured to recieve the real medals someday.

Olivia Hall

By: Stephen

Stephen — Fri, 11 Feb 2011 15:15:34 +0000

Dear Sir, two things – do you have any photos of either of our 2 relations on board HMAS Sydney from our Family? These were:-
F/O R.B.(Ray)BARREY of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) – Seaplane Pilot and RAAF Detachment Commander (9 RAAF Sqd Joined HMAS Sydney March-April 1941)
and ……..
Petty Officer Steward Donald Ross Royal Australian Navu (Reg RAN – Served 1 AIF France 1918-1919, then joined RAN 1925 and Joined HMAS Sydney 1939).
Born Melb (often listed incorrectly as NSW). Failed Soldier Settler in Vicoria and living in New South Wales after marrying a local girl.
Both members were Married(Ray only a few weeks before joining HMAS Sydney in Sydney),while Don had a Daughter.
Lastly, I can confirm that based on my own research into RAAF Detachment on HMAS Sydney in 1941, which has included obtaining a copy of Arthur John CLARKE’s RAAF service record (including his photo) that this is indeed him.
I would love to hear from ANYONE associated with either HMAS Sydney or RAAF Cruiser Duty on Cruisers with Seagull Mk Vs or Walrus.
Email is trustn1@bigpond.com
yours
Stephen
P.S. for the record, my family had 2 Brothers and 1 Cousin enlist in the Great War. Two were seriously wounded in France during 1917. And one of those died of his wounds in the 1930s (as did his only son in 1945). His other son joined the RAN. During World War Two, 7 Enlsited – 6 were Killed from the ‘Extended Family’ i.e. cousins, uncles etc.
2 aboard HMAS Sydney(1 RAAF 1 RAN) during November, 1941
2 aboard HMAS Perth (Both RAN and again joined ship at diffrent dates) March, 1942
1 SRD (Op Rimau) in December, 1944 (RAN)
1 whilst serving with 617 Squadron, RAF Bomber Command during January of 1945 (RAAF) on second tour
Sole Survivor shipped ship to England and joined RAF 1938, retired 1970s (deceased).
Awarded AFC, DFC, DFM completed just under 200 Ops on Kittyhawks and Blenhiems in North Africa or Italy.