Alexander (Sandy) Milne

That’s what I thought when I read your reporter Tamara Herdman’s story, ‘WW1 medal returns to Kelly family’ in the June 12 Beacon.

Tamara reported that a military medal of rifleman Robert Patrick Kelly of the New Zealand Expeditionary Forces had been reunited with descendants David Kelly and Fred Cresswell after 60 years in private hands.

Almost two years ago, the Beacon ran a letter from myself regarding a medal I had found in the Ōhope car park.

A few days ago, I sent the following letter to the NZ Defence Force …

“Herewith is a pic of a medal I picked up in a carpark at Ōhope Beach, Whakatāne on Anzac 2024.

I have made strenuous efforts on and off for two years trying to contact the family of 13019 RFLM.F.V.-HAY. N.Z.E.F.

I visited the Whakatāne RSA and was directed to the police station. That got me nowhere.

I visited the homes of Hay families in Whakatāne. That didn’t help.

The Whakatāne Beacon ran a letter of mine with pic. Ditto.

Lisa Owen of Radio NZ’s Checkpoint programme ran the story in late 2024.

I notice that the medal seems to have been made by the same outfit as my own UK service medal, which I was given in 1956.

(My number and name is also around the rim; (22822948 CPL. A. MILNE. R.A.M.C)).

Would you kindly assist me in my effort to move the medal to the rightful home?”

Last Wednesday, I received the following response:

“The Ministry of Defence is a civilian organisation responsible for international defence engagements, development of defence policy and capability acquisition.

We are a separate organisation from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), who are responsible for personnel records and medals.

Unfortunately, the Ministry of Defence is unable to assist in this matter.

I have contacted the NZDF, who have indicated that they are also unable to assist. From the description of your efforts below, you have exhausted all reasonable efforts. We have no further suggestions on how you may resolve this issue.”

I attach for the record; a photo I just took of the medal I was given following my British Army service in Africa 42 years after rifleman Kelly earned his silver medal in the New Zealand Army. They were surely cast in the same place?

I still hope that I can reunite Rflm Hay’s medal with his descendants who may still live in Whakatāne or Ōpōtiki.

Can anyone assist?