I was sent an email from one of my friends in New Zealand, regarding a tradition for which I had no answer to. Christopher NEALE (who is interested in purchasing any war service medals attributed to his surname “NEALE”) has kindly forwarded this information regarding the history behind the placing of our right hand over our hearts at funerals and remembrance services. After some research, he found the following and we were surprised to learn that we are actually placing our hand over our service medals.

The Salute by Veterans at the Cenotaph or Wreath Laying Ceremony (Remembrance Service) It will be noticed at any Remembrance Service or when passing a Cenotaph Veterans will place their Right Hand over their “Left Side” ….. many believing that they were placing their ‘Hand over their Heart” in Respect or Remembrance of their Fallen Comrades”;- this is not so.

The Veterans Salute to their “Fallen Comrades” originated in London on Armistice Day in 1920, during the ceremony to unveil and dedicate the Cenotaph in Whitehall at the same time a funeral procession accompanying the remains of the “Unknown Soldier” halted at the Cenotaph during the ceremony before proceeding to Westminster Abbey for internment. Those present included the senior Soldier, sailor and many Victoria Cross winners. The ceremony concluded with a march past. The Regimental Sergeant Major of the Guard Regiment conducting the ceremony, faced with a gathering of highly decorated and high ranking military men (including many Victoria Cross winners), all wearing rows of medals, decreed that all would salute the Cenotaph as they marched past by placing their hand over their medals, signifying that “No matter what honours we may have been awarded they are nothing compared with the honour due to those who paid the supreme sacrifice”.

Story kindly supplied by Christopher NEALE.

If you have any war medals awarded to a serviceman or woman with the surname of NEALE and wish for them to be well cared for, please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator who will put you in contact with Chris.

Remembrance Day, also known as ‘Armistice Day’ in some parts of the Commonwealth – is almost upon us for 2010.

It is at the 11th hour, on the 11th day of the 11th month – that we pause for a moments silence and pay our respects to the men and women who have died as a result of war. The tradition going back to 1918, when the official cease fire on the Western Front was honoured and the fields of Flanders and other regions fell silent. However, the treaty which was signed on the 28th of June, 1919 (exactly five years after Archduke Franz Ferdinand was assassinated) was an uneasy one in the eyes of some Germans. Tragically, the world would be engulfed in a Second World War only 20 years later.

IMAGE RIGHT: Actual photo/postcard of Australian soldiers taking part in a Victory Parade through London in 1919. Note the soldier as viewed on the right of the photograph (actual ‘left marker’ in the parade) has the Australian flag actually hoisted from a Lee-Enfield rifle.

Sadly, Remembrance Day is not allocated the same respect in this modern day and age …… as it did in the years closely following the Great War. In Australia, they hold “the race that stops a Nation” (in 2010, the horse race – The Melbourne Cup fell on the 2nd of November) and yet many of these same people will barely halt their daily lives at the appropriate time, in order to pay their respects and to remember the sacrifice of generations that went before them. It truly is a case of “wrong priorities”.

IMAGE LEFT: Actual photo/postcard of British Troops marching through London and passing Australia House in a Victory Parade during 1919. It is images such as this which bring to mind, the haunting painting titled “Eternal Shrine” by artist Will Longstaff. In this artwork, ‘ghosts’ of the fallen parade past The Cenotaph in London on a final march past. To see an image of this painting, please Click Here.

However, it is reassuring to see that there are still some people out there who take the time and effort to commemorate their ancestors’ service in times of war. A point in hand is the case of Robert YOUNG from the United Kingdom. As proof that not every serviceman made a claim for his medals after the war, Robert wrote away to the relevant authorities in England under suspicion that his father had never claimed his medal entitlement. Lance Sergeant Henry Arthur YOUNG (Service Number 5833397) had served on Home Duties during the Second World War with the Royal Engineers; from 1940 through to 1946. It is a well known fact that Britain was under constant air attack from the Luftwaffe as from 1940, and from attack by flying bombs (V1 & V2 rockets) through to 1945. Based on this information, many areas within Britain were under direct threat from air attack and as such, the Medals Gone Missing Administrator was of the opinion that at the very least, Henry was entitled to both the Defence Medal and the 1939-1945 War Medal. As a result of his inquiry, and being Henry’s next of kin – Robert was awarded his father’s World War Two medals. Robert said “They both arrived in plastic presentation boxes with a gold crown on the top and on the reverse, a label with my father’s Military details. It is a shame he is not still alive so that he could see them”. With these two war medals taking pride of place in Robert’s home, no doubt this year will be a very special “Remembrance Day” in the YOUNG household.

IMAGE RIGHT: Robert YOUNG of the United Kingdom, with the Defence Medal & 1939-1945 War Medal issued to his father, Lance Sergeant Henry Arthur YOUNG, Royal Engineers (World War Two).

So with Robert’s story as encouragement, if you believe that one of your relative’s may not have claimed his or her war service medals – now is the time to act and to write away. Whether you call it ‘Armistice Day’ or refer to it as Remembrance Day; take the time to write away and find out for certain, what actually happened to your ancestor’s medal entitlement. (For the relevant authorities in your respective Commonwealth nation, please Click Here)

IMAGE LEFT: The “previously unclaimed” war medals of Lance Sergeant Henry Arthur YOUNG. After making the successful claim, his son Robert done a rather professional job in having the medals ‘mounted’ into a frame, accompanied by a photograph of his father. This display will now be a tangible reminder to the family of Sergeant YOUNG; of the service made by previous generations in Britain’s darkest hour.

Why a serviceman would opt NOT to claim his medal entitlement at the end of his war service, can only be speculated upon. Interviews with veterans over the years have revealed a whole array of responses. One particualr response however, from a serviceman who served in a “rear echelon” unit springs to mind. This man had served in the Army Service Corps and in his own opinion, did not feel entitled to put himself up against those guys who “saw real action”. Subsequently, he did not claim his war medals and did not encourage his family to pursue the matter. A sad situation that one man should consider himself ‘unworthy’, especially when the actions of an army are a “team effort”. Try telling any Australian veteran of the Kokoda campaign that the service of the Sally Man (Salvation Army) with his hot cup of black tea near Imita Ridge (when the troops most needed it), was not worthy and valuable service.

IMAGE RIGHT: Actual photo/postcard featuring Allied Troops as they march through London on a Victory March on the 19th of July, 1919. With the Armistice having been signed approximately 3 weeks before this march took place – many of these troops will have been repatriated home by the time the first official ‘Armistice Day’ is commemorated later in November.

Alternatively, if the war medals of your ancestors were in fact issued ….. but are now “missing”, “lost”, “stolen” or simply “sold” out of the family – NOW is the time to take your first step in securing their return. You need to tell the whole world that you would like to have your family’s lost heritage returned to you. Simply register with Medals Gone Missing (it is free to Register, simply Click Here) and then submit your listing. Whilst it does in fact cost a small fee to submit your medal listing – Medals Gone Missing is a NOT FOR PROFIT website and any fees payable are utilised for the costs and ongoing expenses of the website.

As a special incentive for Remembrance Day 2010, Medals Gone Missing has cut the cost of a Lifetime Listing by 20% and will double the time period of all other listing periods, free of charge.

IMAGE LEFT: Photo/postcard of Australian troops as they parade in Constitution Hill, London during a Victory March on the 19th July, 1919. Remembrance Day for these troops from this time on, will not be a celebration of victory; rather the solemn contemplation of lost comrades.’

To read Robert YOUNG’s Success Story and learn how the War Medals of his father were awarded to his family, please Click Here.

A call for help has been received from Jacquie COOK in New Zealand, in relation to a medallion found amongst her grandfather’s war service medals.

IMAGE RIGHT:  Private Charles Henry COOK, born in Romsey  (Victoria, Australia) he emmigrated to New Zealand circa 1904 and subsequently enlisted into the N.Z.E.F. during the First World War.

Whilst her grandfather, Charles Henry COOK was born in Romsey, Victoria (Australia) during 1888, he migrated to New Zealand when he was 16 years of age.  Subsequently, when the Great War broke out about ten years later – Charles answered the call to Empire and enlisted in the N.Z.E.F. (New Zealand Expeditionary Force) as a member of the 2nd Canterbury Regiment.

The Canterburys had a very proud service history, landing at Gallipoli and rendering spectacular service during the August offensive on the height of Chunuk Bair.  They later went on to service in France and fought in notable actions on the Somme, at Messines and Polygon Wood.  Through to the German Offensive of 1918 and finally finishing on garrison duty in the German city of Cologne.

IMAGE LEFT:  A group shot taken of men from Charles’ unit.  On the rear of the orignal photograph is written “Winners of the Tug-O-War, 2nd Canterbury Battalion”.  Charles is the man wearing on the far right of the image.

Charles survived the First World War, however he passed away in 1943 whilst patronising the RSA (Returned Serviceman’s Association) in Ashburton.   Leaving behind a wife and four children, his medals were donated to the RSA at Ashburton.  However, it was not until many years later that his grand daughter Jacquie took an interest in his war medals and it became evident that Charles was in possession of a medallion – issued by ‘Romsey & District’ for service in the Great War.

IMAGE RIGHT:  Charles Henry COOK wearing his New Zealand “Lemon Squeezer” fur felt hat.  Evident on the pugeree is the famous New Zealand “Onwards” cap badge; and the collars of his Service tunic bear the badges of the Canterbury Battalion, NZEF.

So how is it, that an Australian born – New Zealander came into the possession of a small bronze medallion from the Victorian locality of Romsey?  It was not uncommon for cities, towns and districts to show their appreciation to servicemen and women who enlisted from the subject area.  However, if a man was to enlist from a certain township (in this case – Romsey) he usually returned to this same area after the war.  Even if it was just to catch up with family and friends.  However, in the specific case of Charles COOK – he was transported back to New Zealand after the war and it is unknown how the authorities of Romsey became aware that he had served at all…..let alone in the NZEF?

IMAGE LEFT:  The medallion, issued by ‘Romsey & District, Victoria’ showing what appears to be the shire crest.

Whilst it is clearly a ‘post war’ medallion issued to men from the Romsey and District locality who served during World War One, what is not known is the eligibility criteria and subsequently issue of the medal. 

Both Jacquie, and the Medals Gone Missing Administrator would be grateful if anybody out there can assist with the following questions:-

1.  Did a serviceman who was born or resided in the Romsey & District area of Victoria – have to apply for such a medallion or was his name simply taken from a shire register?  As Charles was born and grew up in this area unti the age of 16, would the town council or other organisation have made contact with Charles and forwarded the medallion to him, despite the fact that he served in the NZEF ?

2.  Is there anybody out there who also is in possession of such a medallion?  And if so, was it issued to their relative in a similar situation to that of Charles?

3.  As the medallion is inscribed “AIF” , why was it eligible to other members of the Commonwealth?  Or was it simply the case that the issuing authority did not concern themselves with which unit the recipient served – rather their focus was on the “origin” or birthplace of the recipient?

IMAGE RIGHT:  The reverse side of the Romsey & District Medallion.  The script around the periphery reads:- “HE RESPONDED TO HIS COUNTRY’S CALL” .  The writing in the centre of the badge states:- Presented to C.H. COOK (engraved) AIF in recognition of his service abroad in the Great War for freedom 1914-18.

Any information in relation to this medallion would be greatly appreciated.

Medals Gone Missing will offer a 5 year listing,  free of charge to anybody who can help Jacquie with her inquiry.

 ”After dark we were marched most of a mile toward Suvla Bay and then inland.  We were told to be very quiet, not to rattle our equipment or rifles.  We didn’t know how near or far the Turks were.  We just knew where Chunuk Bair was.  All of a sudden, in the dark, there was a very merry Haka from the Maori contingent on the seaward side of the valley up which we were travelling.  My word, it startled us.  Then rifles began to bang.  The Maoris, it turned out, were dealing with a Turk outpost.  Word came down to us that it was all right, the Turks had been wiped out, and we could proceed uphill, up a rough track leading from the sea toward Chunuk Bair”    Dan CURHAM, Wellington Infantry Battalion.

For the majority of Australians, the term ‘ANZAC ‘ is one which is held in very high regard – with a mixture of honour and pride.  However our nation often forgets; perhaps even ‘overlooks’ the stark fact that this term is a shared one.  For without the existence and contribution of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force during the First World War – the term ANZAC would simply never have come into existence. 

And it was the above mentioned account which I read many years ago; given by a New Zealand veteran, which sparked my interest in the role played by the N.Z.E.F at Gallipoli.   Despite the fate of the poor Turkish soldiers; I could not help but delight in the thought of these Maoris breaking out into a spontaneous Haka – after they drew their first blood.    So much for the order to remain ‘silent’ and advance with stealth!  Indeed, before reading a book written by Maurice SHADBOLT called “Voices Of Gallipoli” – I too was subconsciously guilty of the belief, that the term ANZAC belonged to us Australians.

IMAGE RIGHT:  The “lonely little relic”  which caught my eye – in between ‘The Apex’ and ‘The Pinnacle’ on my way to Chunuk Bair.

I have visited Gallipoli on a number of occasions.  However it was during my last visit in 2005 that I happened upon a very lonely little relic which caught my eye – as I walked between the features known as ‘The Apex’ and ‘The Pinnacle’ on my way up to Chunuk Bair.   A road had been freshly graded between these two iconic points; and it must have been a combination of the shape and the colour of the item which drew my attention as I walked along.

I had seen many examples of Australian military buttons during my years of collecting memorabilia.  I was also familiar with the style of the British Pattern 1902 tunic and the manner in which buttons were applied.  So the shape of a metal retaining ‘ring’  attached to a disc like object – immediately identified this object to be a military style button.  However, on this lonely stretch of dirt road (clearly never walked or visited by the general tourist market) there was absolutely no other hint or indication that this stretch of ground had once been sewn with the lives of New Zealand’s young men.

IMAGE LEFT:   A studio portrait of  40526 Private Joseph Luke DODD of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force.  Whilst Private DODD was not a Gallipoli veteran, this image clearly shows the British style 1907 Pattern Tunic and the smaller 5/8th (five eights)  inch sized buttons which secure the pocket flaps and epaulettes.

An attempt to gain the high ground by New Zealanders began with the August offensive.   It was these heights which were the target of Dan CURHAM and his comrades from the Wellington Infantry Battalion on the evening of the 6th of August, 1915.  But it was not only the Wellingtons who would shed their blood in a bid to win these heights.  The New Zealand Mounted Rifles along with 500 men of the Maori Contingent had been given the initial task of clearing the many gullies and foothills below Chunuk Bair.  The Auckland Infantry Battalion were then ordered forward on the morning of the 7th, to capture the peak of Chunuk Bair; where their numbers were virtually cut in half by Turkish Machinegun fire.   The following morning, it was the Wellington’s turn to charge forward.  Led Lt. Colonel William Malone, they captured the height and had their first glimpse of the Narrows.  What later followed was an epic fight for their lives.  Before Chunuk Bair would be totally lost, the Otago Infantry Battalion and the New Zealand Mounted Rifles would also have their men sacrificed, before being relieved on the 9th of August by two British Battalions.  They never regained the heights of Chunuk Bair, but would hold a line across ‘The Apex’ right up until 2.15am on the 20th of December, when the position was totally evacuated.

During the reminder of the campaign, the Canterbury’s would be just one of many units within the N.Z.E.F who would take their turn in garrisoning this position.  So when you consider that this relic button was once part of a soldier’s uniform, ascertaining for certain – exactly which unit the owner came from is virtually impossible.  However, judging from it’s position on the ground between ‘The Apex’ and ‘The Pinnacle’ – it may be speculated that the owner of this button may have fallen during the fighting between 6th and 9th of August. 

IMAGE RIGHT:  The relic button, alongside two ‘serviceable’ buttons for comparison.  When placed side by side with these two examples, there can be absolutely no doubt as to the identification of this relic as being a button from a N.Z.E.F tunic.

Like most other British Commonwealth uniform, the 1902 Pattern S.D. (Service Dress) tunic utilised two different sized buttons.  The front of the tunic (as can be seen in the photograph above) was fastened by way of five (5) buttons which were 1″  (one inch)  in diameter.  The four pockets on the outside of the tunic were fastened by way of the 5/8″  (five eights of an inch) diameter buttons which are subject of this story.  However, the New Zealand issued tunics differed slightly – in that the centre-line buttons measured 7/8″  (seven eights of an inch) in diameter. 

IMAGE LEFT:  The reverse side of the relic placed alongside two buttons in serviceable condition.  These buttons bear the script “New Zealand Forces” and the stars of the Southern Cross.  The button eyelet and retaining ring used to secure the button to the uniform, can easily be seen.

The 1902 Pattern Tunic evolved with slight modifications, into the 1907 Pattern Tunic and it is generally this pattern of Service Dress which fitted out the N.Z.E.F.  For all intents and purposes, the 1907 Pattern Tunic was basically the same style of tunic used by the British Army, the New Zealand Expeditionary Force and the Canadian Expeditionary Force (with only a few minor manufacturing differences and nation specific  buttons).

The fact that this particular relic, was located with the ‘retaining ring’ still attached – leads me to believe that this button may in fact be the type which secured the flap of a pocket.  I base this on the premise that the cuff  consists of a ‘straight’ sleeve (unlike Australian tunics which had a button up cuff) and did not require a cuff button.  I have also been led to believe that the epaulette button was in fact stitched onto the shoulder portion of the tunic; subsequently they did not require a retaining ring.   However, I would be keen to hear from any collector who actually has a tunic of this pattern in their collection – to confirm or deny this.  There were no shards of cloth evident with the button, however considering that this relic was exposed to the elements and not buried in mud or dirt – this is not surprising.  

IMAGE RIGHT:  One Commonwealth – but three different  button types.   From left to right:- Australian button (showing the relief map of Australia with a Crown and the words ‘Australian Military Forces’ embossed around the periphery)  British button (showing the Royal Crest flanked by an image of a Lion on the left and Unicorn on the right) and the New Zealand button (showing the stars of the Southern Cross and the words ‘New Zealand Forces’)  Whilst the British button is only slightly larger – the other two buttons are five eights of an inch in diameter.  At the time of posting this article, I did not have access to a Canadian Expeditionary Force button and would welcome any contribution.

The fact of the matter is….a pocket button would be “missed” by it’s owner.  A breast pocket especially, is likely to be the pocket where a recent letter or a photograph of one’s family would be kept.  We have all heard the tale of a man placing a bible or shaving mirror in his breast pocket and this item actually succeeding in “stopping a bullet”.   To lose a button, would be to risk losing what was contained in that pocket.   And whilst my above comments are merely conjecture, you can be assured that a soldier would not wish to lose any object which he holds dear.

But I am afraid that this particular button was found on a piece of land which the New Zealanders only possessed for about 3 days.  Before it became “No Man’s Land” between ‘The Apex’ and ‘The Pinnacle’.  One may draw the sad conclusion that it’s owner lost something more valuable on that day than a button… or the contents of a pocket.  With the retaining ring in place, it is likely that the woollen uniform simply rotted away – leaving the button in situ.    And with the historic accounts of bloated bodies laying out in the August heat of 1915;  it is heartbreaking to think of a lad,  so far from home – being left out in the hot sun to decay…because his mates could not get to him.

Only one Victoria Cross was awarded to a New Zealander on Gallipoli.  When Divisional Signaller, Corporal Cyril BASSETT spoke about his action at Chunuk Bair and the awarding of his prestigious medal – he protested  “All my mates ever got were wooden crosses”.

When Leon Gellert wrote the following verse: he was not writing about Australians – nor was he writing about New Zealanders…….he was writing about ANZACS.

There’s a lonely stretch of hillocks,

There’s a beach asleep and dream,

There’s a battered, broken fort beside the sea.

There are sunken trampled graves

There’s a little rotting pier

And winding paths, that wind unceasingly.

There’s a torn and silent valley

There’s a tiny rivulet

With some blood upon the stones beside it’s mouth

There are lines of buried bones,

There’s an unpaid waiting debt,

There’s the sound of gentle sobbing in the south.

Wish to learn more about New Zealand in the World Wars or speak to some like minded kiwis ?  If so, please visit the MILITARIANZ website by Clicking Here