Image Taken from Portable Antiquities Scheme
This medal is a Distinguished Conduct Medal, which was issued to Sgt. G.H. Humber of the Royal Field Artillery in 1919. It was discovered by a metal detector club in Surrey who were keen for it to be reunited with its' family. Sgt Humber was born in 1889 in the Isle of White and sadly died there in 1985, before the discovery of his medal. The Club and PAS issued details of the medals discovery in local newspapers in both Surrey and the Isle of White. This answered many questions and reunited the medal and its' family. Sgt Humber was active throughout the war, leading men in 1915, 1916, 1917 and 1918, in various battles in a brave and honourable manner. The Isle of White newspapers were contacted by three of his grandchildren and the story continued to unravel. Before they married, he and his wife Bessie lived with her parents on Batchelors Farm, near to the find spot. He is thought to have found work in the area around 1920 and this is possibly when his medal was lost. Before his death he was presented with a substitute medal, however I can only imagine how is family felt knowing the original had been discovered. This artefact is a powerful one, capable of evolking all manner of emotions for all manner of people and able to ensure that the actions of the fallen and those that returned are never forgotten. The Flanders Field Memorial in London is set to enhance this for many years to come.
No comments:
Post a Comment