Success Stories

Another Waterbottle Carrier Returned to the Family of a 2/6th Infantryman

Another 03 Pattern water bottle carrier has been returned to a descendant of an Australian serviceman.

Corporal Angus Edwin CLIFFORD served in the 2/6 Infantry Battalion during the Second World War.  The World War Two Nominal Roll states that he joined the Second AIF on the 10th of July, 1940 and sometime during his service life, he has been issued a leather water bottle carrier (known as the 1903 Pattern).   As many soldiers did, Angus wrote his service number (VX31308) and his name on the leather carrier and probably thought very little else of it.

He was not to know that 70 odd years later, his name which was written on that carrier would lead to it being returned to his family, in particular his grandson Robbie CLIFFORD of Mildura in Victoria.

IMAGE ABOVE:- The 1903 Pattern leather carrier which was designed to carry the Mk VI enamelled steel water bottle.  This particular carrier was written upon by Corporal Angus Edwin CLIFFORD with his name and service number, leading to its return to his family 70 years later!

To receive an item of equipment such as this, which once belonged to your ancestor is a very rare thing.  Many of these items were simply cut up after the war for their scrap brass and the leatherwork either buried or burnt.  Robbie and his family are quite fortunate that this particular water bottle carrier has survived the years.  Whilst this type of kit is not uncommon, to have a piece inscribed with the name of its previous owner is a nice find indeed.

Robbie CLIFFORD located his grandfather's water bottle carrier, simply by conducting a Google search under the name 'Angus Edwin CLIFFORD'.  Undoubtably he was thrilled when the Medals Gone Missing website produced this result.

So whether or not you already have the war service medals of your ancestor in your possession, it pays to make a listing on the Medals Gone Missing website on the off chance that something like this may turn up.

IMAGE ABOVE:  The cotton shoulder strap of the 1903 Pattern waterbottle carrier which was issued to Corporal Angus Edwin CLIFFORD.  Whilst very feint, the handwriting of Angus CLIFFORD can clearly be seen, written in blue colour biro or similar.  The 'VX31308' and the name 'CLIFFORD' confirming that this leather carrier was issued to Angus, sometime during his military service.

A Tunneller's British War Medal Home Again

A British War Medal, awarded to Tunneller - Corporal Andrew Ross FAULKNER has found its way home again.  All through the generosity of an anonymous person who simply wanted to do something nice for the descendants of this man who joined the AIF very late in life.

In June 2011, Medals Gone Missing was contacted by a lovely lady who simply stated that she wanted to return a British War Medal from the Great War to a direct descendant of Corporal Andrew Ross FAULKNER.  This lady, who wished to remain anonymous indicated that she could not recall how the medal came to be in her possession, but she had kept the medal safe since she was a child and would like to have it returned to its rightful place.  She indicated a vague memory that the medal may have once been in the possession of her grandfather at one time.

IMAGE ABOVE: The British War Medal which was awarded to Corporal Andrew Ross FAULKNER.  As can be seen, the medal is missing the 'hanger bar' from which the medal ribbon is supported.  Also, one arm of the hanger is bent slightly in a downwards fashion.  Is it possible that the medal was being worn by Andrew when the hanger came loose and the medal fell unnoticed from his chest?  One can only speculate.

As a result of the medal listing on the Medals Gone Missing website, we were contacted by Mr Wayne FAULKNER who is a direct descendant of Andrew Ross FAULKER during January 2012.  Contact was made with the good Samaritan who was in possession of the British War Medal and true to her word, this lady agreed to surrender the medal.  This she handed over free of any charge or profit, still wishing to keep her identity secret.  It is generosity like this which maintains our faith in human nature.

And the descendants of Corporal Andrew Ross FAULKNER could not have been happier!