INQUIRY FOR MEDALS.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 179, 13 May 1935, Page 6

INQUIRY FOR MEDALS.

NEW ZEALAND EX-SOLDIERS ABROAD. DESIRE TO KEEP IN TOUCH. (Sj?ecial to the "Guardian.") WELLINGTON, May 11. After a lapse of seventeen years, another set of war medals has been claimed by the New Zealand ex'soldiers entitled to them. There are still about 11,000 medals held by the Defence Department as Base Records in Wellington because they have not been claimed, and the addresses of those entitled 1 to the decorations cannot be discovered. Two letters received this week from New Zealanders domiciled ahroad reveal that the love of native land is strong. _ ■ One ex-soldier, who has been living at Lille in France for a number of years, requested admittance to membership of the Returned Soldiers' Association. Another, who lives in Newcastle, requested that a badge be sent him, and for the first time he has claimed medals lying to his credit at Base Records. Mr Gerald S. Keed. who served with the 16th Waikato Regiment of the Auckland Infantry, is now living in Lille. "If by any active service, personal character, etc., your association consider me a worthy 'digger' 1 should be very happy as I shall feel that I am still considered a New Zealander and can keep in touch with my many old friends of, before and during the war." The ether soldier, living in Newcastle, went to Sydney for Anzac Day and marched with the New Zealand men in the parade. "There were close on 300 boys and I felt 'lost' because most of the boys had their New Zealand badges," he wrote. He also inquired for his medals, which he had not claimed since his discharge. One which he had received he had lost during his post-war travels. He enlisted at the age of 18 and is now a sergeant in the Field Artillery in Newcastle. "I would be very grateful if you could do anything for me," he wrote. "Although we are away from New Zealand, we are still New Zealanders. K.ia Ora."