Whilst Medals Gone Missing as a rule does not broker the general sale of war service medals; the HEPTON family has made a special request for assistance. It is with great reluctance and for personal reasons, that three sets of war medals are being offered for sale by Ian HEPTON. The medals relate to his grandfather John Joseph HEPTON who served in the First AIF, His great uncle Thomas HEPTON who served in the British Army during the Great War and his father, Wilfred John HEPTON who served in the Second AIF during the 1939-1945 War.
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The 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal and Silver War Badge awarded to Thomas HEPTON of the Yorkshire Regiment.
Private Thomas HEPTON served with the Yorkshire Regiment during the Great War. He entered France on 02 September, 1915 making him eligible for the 1914-1915 Star, British War Medal and the Victory Medal. He was also allocated the Silver War Badge. It was granted officers and other ranks who had served since 4 August 1914. The badge was issued to servicemen who had been discharged on account of age, wounds or sickness, such as would render them permanently unfit for further service. The badge, sometimes known as the Discharge Badge, Wound Badge or Services Rendered Badge, was first issued in September 1916, along with an official certificate of entitlement. Manufactured from sterling silver, it was a lapel badge and was intended to be worn with civilian clothes. It had been the practice of some women to present white feathers to apparently able-bodied young men who were not wearing the King’s uniform. The badge was to be worn on the right breast while in civilian dress, it was forbidden to be worn on a military uniform.
IMAGE LEFT: The First World War Medals of John Joseph HEPTON who served with the 51st Infantry Battalion, AIF.
The First World War Embarkation Roll indicates that John Joseph HEPTON left Fremantle on board HMAT Miltiades (A28) on 09 August, 1916 as a member of the 51st Infantry Battalion, AIF (Australian Imperial Force).
The World War Two Nominal Roll indicates Gunner Wilfred John HEPTON joined the Second AIF on 18 July, 1942 and was allocated the service number WX29536. He served with the 2/7 Field Regiment and discharged on 01 November 1945. As a result of his service, Wilfred was awarded the 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal, 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal, 1945-1975 Australia Service Medal with Pacific Clasp and the Netherlands War Cross. After the Second World War had ended, many Australian Servicemen who had served in the Dutch East Indies were awarded Dutch medals in recognition of their service. This last award attached to his medal bar is a bronze cross which shows Queen Wilhelmina surrounded by the text “VOOR KRIJGSVERRICHTINGEN” (For war operations). The award was instituted on 16 March 1944. It was awarded for participation in general war operations and/or specific war actions which were recognized by small-lettered bars on the ribbon.
IMAGE RIGHT: The Second World War medals of Gunner Wilfred John HEPTON who served with the 2/7 Field Regiment, AIF. The medals from left to right are:- 1939-1945 Star, Pacific Star, 1939-1945 War Medal, 1939-1945 Australia Service Medal, 1945-1975 Australia Service Medal with Pacific Clasp and the Netherlands War Cross.
It is the wish of the HEPTON family that these medals enter the hands of a reputable collector who will value the service of these three men. For further details, please contact the Medals Gone Missing Administrator.
