Forty years after they vanished, a set of medals belonging to a Defence Australian Public Service member’s grandfather has been returned to the family. 

Grant Tebbutt’s grandfather, Tom Foster, served in the First Ambulance Brigade in Tobruk and across the Middle East during World War 2.

From 1985, the whereabouts of his service medals were unknown.

“Mum and Dad were most distressed when we could no longer find them,” Mr Tebbutt said.

“We had no idea how they got out of the house, so I was quite surprised when I got a phone call to find out they had been returned and were sitting down in Canberra.” 

Veterans and Historical Case Manager Colonel Glyn Llanwarne, of Army Headquarters, was the one who made that phone call. 

After researching Tom’s relatives and family history, he looked Mr Tebbutt up and called the product schedule manager at Damascus Barracks in Brisbane. 

Colonel Llanwarne has been returning service medals as a hobby for 25 years, often receiving medals by mail with no further information or documentation. 

“That is how I received five World War 2 medals awarded to Tom Foster,” Colonel Llanwarne said.

“The recent resurgence of interest in Australia’s military history means items like these become a more direct connection to the past.

“This physical link to the serviceperson holds very emotional connections … and makes all the effort worth it.” 

'My mum had very fond memories of him being a loving, caring man.'

Every service medal is inscribed with the recipient’s name and service number, making each one unique and personal.

Alongside photographs, service records and oral family history, they offer a glimpse into the life and story of the person behind the medals.

“In Tom’s photos you can see the monkey in him … and what a character he was,” Mr Tebbutt said.

“He was a bit of a terror, as all good soldiers should be.

“My mum had very fond memories of him being a loving, caring man.”

Mr Tebbutt said it has been really rewarding to reconnect with his family’s military history.

It is a proud tradition, carried on by his father Ivan, who also served in World War 2 – a legacy Mr Tebbutt now upholds through his work with the Joint Logistics Unit South Queensland. 

Thanks to the dedication of Colonel Llanwarne, Tom’s medals will remain in the family going forward, serving as a physical connection to past service.

“Even though they’re both no longer here, I know [Mum and Dad] would be very happy to know the medals are back,” Mr Tebbutt said.