The below narrative has been shared from the 35th Infantry Battalion Facebook page. A wonderful chap named Paul Wheeler from Yass has located a lost Victory Medal awarded for service during the Great War. The missing war medal, named to Private Stephen Edward WISEMAN was found by Paul whilst using a metal detector in a park at Yass. Can you help us to track down the descendants of Stephen WISEMAN?
IMAGE RIGHT: The found Victory Medal of Private Stephen Edward WISEMAN which was found by Paul Wheeler whilst using a metal detector at a park in Yass, New South Wales. Paul is attempting to have the missing medal returned to the rightful family. Can you help?
FROM 35th BATTALION FACEBOOK PAGE:- “Preliminary and basic research from this Digger’s service record states that his name is Stephen Edward Wiseman, 30 years old married labourer – address stated to be 285 Riley Street, Surry Hills when he enlisted on or about 9 October 1916 at Murrumburrah. His next of kin was stated to be his wife, Mabel, address stated to be 435 Riley Street, Surry Hills. Born at Young. Originally in 8th Reinforcements of 55th Infantry Battalion. Was later taken on strength of 35th Infantry Battalion and was wounded in the left thigh at Passchendaele by a gun shot wound which fractured the femur bone on 14 October 1917. Embarked overseas on 15 April 1918 for return to Australia. I know of two highly recommended colleagues who specialize in returning lost or stolen medals to families. I can make contact with them on your behalf if you wish and they can contact you, if that is okay. Where abouts are you located? The park in Yass where you found the medal, is it near a river? If it is it may have been washed down stream during a flood. An interesting story. Unfortunately we are not genealogy literate but it would be worthwhile to know where and when he passed away and where he was living up to and at that time. Thank you for choosing our Facebook page to help find the family of this 35th Infantry Battalion Digger. Go kindly and keep well”.
IMAGE LEFT: The colour patch of the 35th Infantry Battalion, AIF. The 35th Battalion was formed in December 1915 in Newcastle, NSW with the bulk of recruits coming from the Newcastle and Lower Hunter Valley region (information from their Facebook page). Please CLICK HERE to learn more about the 35th Infantry Battalion.
This missing war medal is an absolutely amazing find. If you are a descendant of Private Stephen Edward WISEMAN, please contact us here at Medals Gone Missing or the 35th Battalion, AIF Facebook page Administrator by clicking on the above link. Take a bow Paul Wheeler! You are about to make one family very happy indeed during this Centenary Commemoration of the First World War.
