In January, 2011 the Medals Gone Missing Administrator travelled to Adelaide, South Australia to officially return the medals of Captain Henry John “Harry” KATEKAR to his family. Harry, who served with the 2/27th Infantry Battalion, AIF in Syria, the Kokoda Track and Gona was issued the 1939-1945 Star, Africa Star, Pacific Star, Defence Medal, 1939-1945 War Medal and the 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal. His 1939-1945 Star bears the bronze ‘Oak Leaf’ to signify that he was “Mentioned In Dispatches”. This medal group had been stolen from Harry’s Adelaide home during a break and enter in 1983.
IMAGE RIGHT: The Medals Gone Missing Administrator with three of Harry’s four daughters. From left to right:- Ann, Margaret and Jane.
Returning these missing war medals after 27 years was one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. To be welcomed into their house like an “old friend” and to share in the memory of their father, Harry KATEKAR was a very humbling experience. And the gratitude which they showered upon me – makes all of the hard work and expense of running such a website, well worth it.
This event has also proved of interest to the media and I thank everybody involved for their help in the recovery and return of Harry’s war medals.
To the memory of Henry John KATEKAR and the men of South Australia’s 2/27th Infantry Battalion, AIF.
IMAGE LEFT: The story as it appeared on the website of The Canberra Times. This story was one of a number of reports as told in newspapers around the country. (Please click on the image to enlarge).
Wish to read the full story of Captain Harry KATEKAR and the 2/27th Infantry Battalion? Please Click Here. Other newspaper articles, including the Adelaide Advertiser, Illawarra Mercury and The Murray Pioneer can be veiwed in the SUCCESS STORIES page of this website.
