Search for gong owners
Medalling for a cause

By Cpl Alisha Welch

Maj Glyn Llanwarne and Simon Whitehead with Mr Whitehead’s returned medals. Photo by Cpl Belinda Mepham, Army newspaper

Medals recognising military service represent pride, service and sacrifice. It is for this reason that Maj Glyn Llanwarne, a medal collector, is hoping to reunite a number of medals from last century’s major wars with their owners.

Maj Llanwarne said in 1996 he and his wife began attending antique fairs across Victoria and noticed there were medals for sale quite frequently.

“It wasn’t until early 2000 that I gave this matter more thought and research led me to discover that medals on the open market were there for a particular reason,” he said.

“WW1 medals had often been sold during The Depression, usually by the recipient in an attempt to make ends meet.

“Medals from WW2 often seem to have been sold by later generations.

“Some medal recipients, or the family, realised the value of some groups and sold them to collectors for a good price.”
He said this trend appeared to be in line with general public sentiment towards military conflict in the 1960s and 70s.

“Because of several stories in RSL Queensland’s branch newspaper, I also began receiving medals from people wanting to see them returned to their original owners.

“To date I have successfully returned more than 30 medals.”

Maj Llanwarne is hoping readers will be able to help him locate the owners of the following medals:

• 7471 Gnr M.A. Ferguson, 5th FAB AIF – 1914-15 Star
• 6484 Pte J. Cathels, 17th Bn AIF – Military Medal
• Lt E.W. Gillespie, 5th Light Horse Regt – WW1 Trio
• 2596 Pte E. Mulholland, 39th Bn AIF – British War Medal
• M1-08623 Pte C.C. Pearson A.S.C. – WW1 Victory Medal
• 33055 G.H. Abbott – 1939-45 Star
• QX17878 P. Bass – The Pacific Star
• SX28928 L.J. Benton – The Pacific Star, War Medal, Australia Service Medal 1939-45
• WX2683 T.G. Liddell – War Medal
• C.F.R. MacGregor MN – War Medal
• QX10897 R.J. McKnight – Australia Service Medal 1939-45
• NX97459 W.C. Walsh – 1939-45 Star

Maj Llanwarne said the Military Medal awarded to Pte J. Cathels is significant as there were only about 10,000 awarded to Australians during WW1.

“The WW1 Trio awarded to Lt E.W. Gillespie is interesting because before commissioning, Lt Gillespie was a soldier in the 5th Light Horse Regt.

“His regimental number is 38, meaning he must have enlisted very early in the war and survived the entire conflict.

“His medals have never been mounted and are in perfect condition.

“They come with the original packaging, two pay books and about 50 photos of family and friends.”

One man Maj Llanwarne has already helped is Simon Whitehead, who had his medals stolen last year.

They were returned to Qld RSL who gave the medals to Maj Llanwarne.

After running a notice in Army, Mr Whitehead’s details were passed on to Maj Llanwarne, and his medals returned.

If any readers can assist Maj Llanwarne in his search for the owners or relatives, contact (02) 6265 6033 or via e-mail at llanwarne80@hotmail.com.

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