Post by fyl on Jan 20, 2012 8:02:33 GMT 12
Great to hear they're back with the family..
From Stuff...
www.stuff.co.nz/national/6286835/Soldiers-medals-returned-to-family
Memorabilia and medals awarded to a Southland soldier executed during World War I have been returned to his family after being mistakenly put up for auction late last year.
The medals were awarded to Otautau-born Private Victor Manson Spencer after he was pardoned in 2000.
His second cousin Spencer Morrison said he was delighted to have the medals back.
"It's my turn to look after them ... they're the most important thing."
In September, The Southland Times reported the medals were up for sale on Trade Me.
They had been given to a dealer by Mr Morrison's relative Fred Ryan, who said he had not realised they would be put up for sale.
Mr Ryan declined to comment on how the medals were returned, saying he had signed a statement not to do so and had guaranteed no publicity.
Private Spencer was one of five men executed by the New Zealand Army during World War I. He was shot for desertion on February 24, 1918, aged 20.
His family had fought long and hard to clear his name and win a pardon, which was granted by an act of Parliament in 2000.
The medals – the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour and Anzac Commemorative – were given to the family in 2005.
Mr Morrison, a veteran himself, said the family never spoke about Private Spencer when he was growing up.
"We said nothing because of the disgrace, except when I went to join the army. My father said, `better tell you something' and told me about Victor."
In 2007, he visited Private Spencer's grave in Ypres, Belgium, for a memorial ceremony.
From Stuff...
www.stuff.co.nz/national/6286835/Soldiers-medals-returned-to-family
Memorabilia and medals awarded to a Southland soldier executed during World War I have been returned to his family after being mistakenly put up for auction late last year.
The medals were awarded to Otautau-born Private Victor Manson Spencer after he was pardoned in 2000.
His second cousin Spencer Morrison said he was delighted to have the medals back.
"It's my turn to look after them ... they're the most important thing."
In September, The Southland Times reported the medals were up for sale on Trade Me.
They had been given to a dealer by Mr Morrison's relative Fred Ryan, who said he had not realised they would be put up for sale.
Mr Ryan declined to comment on how the medals were returned, saying he had signed a statement not to do so and had guaranteed no publicity.
Private Spencer was one of five men executed by the New Zealand Army during World War I. He was shot for desertion on February 24, 1918, aged 20.
His family had fought long and hard to clear his name and win a pardon, which was granted by an act of Parliament in 2000.
The medals – the 1914-15 Star, British War Medal, Victory Medal, New Zealand Certificate of Honour and Anzac Commemorative – were given to the family in 2005.
Mr Morrison, a veteran himself, said the family never spoke about Private Spencer when he was growing up.
"We said nothing because of the disgrace, except when I went to join the army. My father said, `better tell you something' and told me about Victor."
In 2007, he visited Private Spencer's grave in Ypres, Belgium, for a memorial ceremony.
