Medals for Sale

Distinguished Conduct Medal (GV) awarded to 974 Corporal Wilfred Leslie TUCKER of the 7 Australian Infantry Battalion, AIF. He was awarded the DCM for an act of courage at Pozieres. Lieutenant Wilfred Leslie TUCKER DCM was the son of Thomas Joseph Tucker (died 1912) and Frances Jane Tucker, of Huntly, via Bendigo, Victoria, Australia. A native of Lilydale, Melbourne. TUCKER enlisted on the 18th August 1914. He was shipped to Egypt and left the Battalion transport at Alexandria without permission, stowing away on the ship Achia 19 June 1915 bound for the Dardenelles. He joined the 7th Battalion at ANZAC on the 25th June 1915. He was wounded in action, a gunshot wound to the hand in July 1915, and on 5 August 1915, he was evacuated to Mudros. He rejoined the battalion on ANZAC only a week later on the 13th August 1915 and was promoted Lance Corporal late in the campaign on the 4th December 1915. Tucker disembarked back in Egypt from Mudros during the general evacuation of Gallipoli, 7 January 1916. Tucker arrived in France, through Marseilles, 31 March 1916, and was promoted Corporal in the field at Pozieres 21 July 1916. He was wounded at Pozieres, during the action for which he was decorated 23/25 July 1916, a gunshot wound to the cheek, and he was awarded the DCM by routine order 19-8-1916, para 281-General Birdwood. Recommendation for the DCM by Captain A.Oates. The citation for his Distinguished Conduct Medal reads "Corporal Tucker led his men time after time against the enemy, under fusillades of grenade and snipers fire, and did great work in repulsing the several counter attacks made by the enemy regardless of the heavy fire until he had one remaining man in his section. Although wounded in the face he remained there and threw continuously for seven hours when he was wounded a second time and ordered away. These incidents occurred during the Battle of Pozieres 25th July 1916." TUCKER was promoted through the ranks, becoming Sergeant on the 27th August 1916. Wilfred Leslie TUCKER rejoined 7 Battalion on the 28th August 1916 and was promoted to 2nd Lieutenant on the 23rd July 1917. He was attached to the ANZAC Corps School 3 November 1917 and took leave to England for 2 weeks from the 14th November 1917. TUCKER was promoted Lieutenant 1 January 1918 and was sent to Bombing School at Lyndhurst from 16 January 1918, where he was appointed “Bombing Officer” of the 1st Training battalion. Tucker proceeded back to France on the 17th June 1918 and rejoined the 7th Battalion but was wounded seriously a few weeks later on the 3 July 1918. He had a very severe gunshot wound to his thigh and compound fracture of femur, which was amputated at 1st Casualty Clearing Station, but he died of wounds 25 July 1918, at the Wimereux Military Hospital, two years to the day he earned his Distinguished Conduct Medal. He was wounded by machine gun fire near Merris when creeping forward through No-Man's Land with one soldier and had come across a German Post defended by about 12 enemy soldiers who fired on the pair wounding Tucker who later that night crawled back to his own lines. Two files in the Red Cross missing and Wounded Files total 19 pages. Died of wounds, 25th July 1918. Wilfred Leslie TUCKER is buried in the Terlincthun British Cemetery (Plot I. Row F. Grave 29.) Wimille France. This medal was offered for sale on the open market, but failed to sell on the 4th July, 2013. If this medal is still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator via this website.

First World War Medals (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal & Victory Medal) with Memorial Plaque (colloquially known as a Death Plaque or "Dead Man's Penny") Widows Ribbon and Memorial Scroll associated with Alfred Henry STOPHER. Born in England during 1893, Alfred Henry STOPHER emigrated to Australia in 1913 to work as a laborer on the Victorian railroads. He enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the 13th July, 1915 and was sent to camp at Broadmeadows before being moved to Seymour, where he qualified as a Signaller. Allocated the service number 951, he was enrolled into the 29 Infantry Battalion. Whilst in camp Alfred married his sweetheart, Annie Plunkett of Footscray, changing his will and enlistment papers to record her as next of kin. According to the First World War Embarkation Roll, Alfred Henry STOPHER boarded the troop transport HMAT Ascanius (A11) on the 10 November, 1915 from Port Melbourne. He arrived in the Middle East on 7th December, 1915. After spending months training in the desert and taking part in canal defence duties, the 29th Battalion embarked for France in mid June of 1916, with STOPHER travelling on the transport Tunisian. After arriving in Marseilles the Battalion entrained to northern France and proceeded to billets at Morbecque before moving to Estaires. After taking part in some minor operations at Bois Grenier in early July, STOPHER and his battalion took part in the major attack at Fromelles, remaining in the area until August before leaving for Houplines and then Strazeele. In October 1916 STOPHER went absent without leave for one day and upon his return was sentenced to ten days field punishment (No. 2) as a result. Following this incident he moved with the battalion to Bailleul and then to Ribemont, before going absent without leave again in December; this time overstaying his leave for just under three days. Given his past indiscretion, and the fact that this time he was on active duty when committing the crime, he was sentenced to 28 days field punishment (No. 1). After serving his punishment, STOPHER went with his battalion to Dernancourt and then Fricourt, participating in attacks near Bapaume in early 1917, where he was killed in action by shellfire on 12th February while laying a communications cable. Due to the heavy snow and the extent of his injuries, the body of Alfred Henry STOPHER was only discovered three days later, whereupon it was buried in a shell hole twenty yards north of Les Bouefs-Gueudecourt Road, south east of Gueudecourt, three miles north of Combles. He was subsequently re-buried at Bancourt Military Cemetery (British) in France, Grave 5 D 14. These medals were offered for sale on the open market, but failed to sell on the 28th July, 2013. If these medals are still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator via this website.

First World War Medals (Military Medal plus British War Medal and Victory Medal) awarded to John Bertmore SHANNON, 5th machine Gun Company. John Bertmore SHANNON enlisted into the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) on the 8th January, 1916 and was in the 6th Machine Gun Reinforcements, 13th Machine Gun Company AIF. According to the First World War Embarkation Roll, he boarded HMAT Port Lincoln (A17) in Port Melbourne on the 20th October, 1916. He served in France and was promoted to Lance Corporal on the 15th January, 1918, Corporal on the 16th January,1918 and Temporary Sergeant on 01 September, 1918. His final promotion to Sergeant came on the 1st December, 1918 just after the armistice. His Citation /Recommendation for the Military Medal reads:- "During the operations at Peronne on the 2nd September 1918 this N.C.O. had charge of a machine gun team,and took his men and guns forward very skillfully in support of the Infantry ,passing through heavy artillery and machine gun fire.He showed an absolute disregard of danger ,and his coolness,bravery and devotion to duty set the best possible example to his men,whilst the work of his guns generally proved an important factor in the success of the operations". His action was recorded in the Official History by C.E.W.Bean:- "The infantry had proceeded forward and was caught between the intense artillery fire and machine gun fire. They were being picked out ,and getting a lot of casualties. The Machine Gun men came through this fire (as mentioned) and went about silencing all the enemy guns that had been causing horrific casualties. Without the bravery of SHANNON ,and a Corporal GOLDSWORTHY, who also won the Military Medal for the action, Peronne would have ended in a different result". These medals were offered for sale on the open market, but failed to sell on the 23rd June, 2013. If these medals are still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator via this website.

R.A.F. (Royal Air Force) Distinguished Flying Medal with 1939-1945 Star, Defence Medal and 1939-1945 War Medal awarded to Lewis William CHAPMAN. This pilot, whilst flying a Bristol Blenheim is credited with sinking the only U-boat (U533) sunk in the Arabian Sea during the Second World War. At this time, Lewis William CHAMPMAN was only 21 years of age. Sergeant Pilot Lewis William CHAPMAN enlisted intp the RAF during 1941 and was posted to 244 Squadron of 215 Group, stationed at Masirah. On 16 October, 1943, operating out of Sharjah in EH404(0) with Sergeants BONYNGE and MURRELL, he sighted and attacked a surfaced U-Boat U533. The U-Boat, captained by Captain Helmut HENNIG, was heading into the Gulf of Oman to operate against tanker traffic, when Sgt. Chapman and crew attacked. The U-Boat was taken completely by surprise and although Hennig dived, the four 250lb depth charges stove in the pressure hull. Two men, an officer and a rating escaped from the submarine without breathing apparatus. The officer died and the rating spent another 28 hours in the water before reaching land at Khor Fakkan, where he was rescued by HMS Hiravati. The survivor, Gunther Schmidt was later entertained in 244 squadron's Sergeant's Mess at Sharjah. Sergeant. Chapman was awarded the DFM on 30th October 1943 for "His effort, brilliant execution worthy of great praise". In July, 1944, Lewis CHAPMAN was a passenger on board a C-47 Douglas Dakota of 44 Squadron SAAF, when it crashed into cliffs west of Resuit whilst attempting to land at Salalah. All 32 on board were killed, including seven men, from 244. Lewis Chapman was listed as P/0 179798 with seniority 20th June, 1944, and is commemorated on the Alamein Memorial to the missing. Lewis William CHAPMAN is commemorated on the Alamein memorial to the Missing Column 279. His war service medals were offered for sale on the general market, but failed to sell on the 19th July, 2013. If these medals are still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator.

Distinguished Conduct medal and First World War trio (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal to J.ORTON R.F.A (Royal Field Artillery). His citation is dated 3rd Sept 1919 for the DCM award. The Citation reads; " He has displayed conspicuous courage and devotion to duty during the offensive of this year. He has constantly repaired his lines under heavy shell fire. At Dickebush, in April he had to go through an exploding dump to get at the test box, which he succeeded in doing after two attempts, and got communication with the brigade". This First World War medal set was offered for sale on the open market but failed to sell on the 23rd June, 2013. If this medal set is still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator.

The First World War Victory Medal awarded to Clement Charles ALLEN was found many years ago somewhere in the area of Broken Hill, New South Wales. It has been requested that this missing war medal be returned to his descendants upon very strict proof of relationship. Sapper Clement Charles ALLEN served with the 5th Divisional Signal Company during the Great War. According to the First World War Embarkation Roll, Clement boarded HMAT Ulysses (A38) on the 25th October, 1916 at Port Melbourne.

I have the "Return from Active Service Medal" for John Ross NEILL who served in the Royal Australian Navy during the Second World War. According to the World War Two Nominal Roll, John Ross NEILL was a Steward aboard HMAS Torrens and his service number was PA2810. He was born in Renmark South Australia and his next of kin was Thelma Neill. This medal I have was found in a rubbish tip in the South East of South Australia. If anybody could assist me in returning this medal, I hope his family would like to have it back in their possession.

I am searching for the First World War Service medals of Theodore Raymond LEWIS. The missing war medals consist of the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and Victory Medal. Medals may have gone missing in New Zealand or the United Kingdom sometime between 1919 and 1931. Theodore Raymond LEWIS was born in Gloucestershire, United Kingdom during 1893 and he died in New Zealand during 1931. He had two serial numbers during his service and they were 1889 & 235053; either of which may appear on the missing medals. He may have been entitled to a Territorial Force Efficiency Medal and it is not clear if this medal was ever claimed? Subsequently, we have a medal of this type listed (in a seperate listing) on the chance that such a medal exists.

First World War Military Cross and other medals (British War Medal & Victory Medal) awarded to Second Lieutenant Walter HAYWARD. Lt. Walter HAYWARD of the 5th Battalion North Staffordshire Regiment (Territorial Force). His Citation for the Military Cross reads: for bravery at Vraignes in April 1917 "For conspicuous gallantry and devotion to duty in a raid on the enemy's trenches.Finding the enemy's wires uncut in front of his objective ,he rushed forward,cut the wire,and led his men through the gap.He then attacked and killed or captured the Whole of the enemy garrison,and repulsed a determined counter attack by which the enemy endeavored to cut-off his retreat.His magnificent courage and determination at critical moments had a most inspiring effect on his men and undoubtedly prevented the enemy from gaining the upper hand". Walter HAYWARD was also Mentioned In Despatches (MID). Haig's dispatched on 7th November, 1917 for bravery at Vraignes in April 1917. These medals were offered for sale on the open market, but failed to sell on 28 July, 2013. If these medals are still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator via this website.

First World War trio (1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal) and Memorial Plaque (colloquially referred to as a "Death Plaque" or "Dean Man's Penny") pertaining to Private Sidney Henry Albert BUSSELL. According to the First World War Embarkation Roll, Sidney Henry Albert BUSSELL boarded HMAT Themistocles (A32) on 5 October, 1915 at Port Sydney. He was wounded in action, suffering 'shell shock' in France 29.7.1916. His service record also indicates that he was charged and found guilty of stealing a case of rum from the stores 12.12.1917 - Forfeiture of 40 days pay. Sadly, he was Killed in Action 19.5.1918. His death was reported in his Red Cross File as : "He was from A Company and was the Lewis Gunner. In front of Morlancourt about this date (19.5.1918) in front of the line early in the morning just at day light ,was shot by a sniper, hit through the head killed out right.I was 100 yards away saw his body 10 mins after. Buried in the field. Christian name was Sid". These medals and Memorial Plaque were offered for sale on the open market, but failed to sell on 28 July, 2013. If these medals are still for sale, could the current owner please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator via this website.