Reply With QuoteHave a friend make sure they go in the box with you when the time comes? That way you looked after them until the very end.
I have no dependents, nor offspring. At some stage after I shuffle off this mortal coil, my possessions will be disposed of by a complete stranger, probably with the assistance of a skip.
I would like to find an appropriate place to lodge my mother's war medals. I could sell them for a paltry sum, but would much rather find a good home. They are so common that no museum would want them imho, but maybe some youngster out there who has a keen interest in WWII would like them, or maybe a WWII memorabilia collector.
Maybe our wise owls on the forum can think of an appropriate course of action? If money were involved it would go to the TZ fundraiser, but money is not an essential part of the plan, just a wise course of action that maybe would comemmorate adequately my mother's (and every home front WWII worker's) contribution to the Allies victory.
She was a VAD Naval Nurse stationed at Stonehouse Barracks, Plymouth. In her offtime she piloted the Cremyll Ferry across to Mount Edgecumbe. During her time in service the Nurses' Home received a direct hit from German bombers. All who were off duty were killed; my mother was on the wards.
You will see from the attached photos that they are a Defence Medal and a 1939-45 Medal, both with ribbon, and a clasp.
Should I be correct in thinking that TZ Wise Owls will come up with a solution, I may in the future make mention of a roomfull of fly fishing tackle and several tons of Riley car spares.
Have a friend make sure they go in the box with you when the time comes? That way you looked after them until the very end.
What about donating them to the RM museum.
I would spend some time writing some provenance and I’m sure a local museum would be interested in them with an associated back story
What a amazing gesture, if you have no better recipients, I have a nephew (14 ) who is a avid WW11 / militaria collector, I put together a package for Christmas of stuff that I have collected over the years, buttons, a 1954 jackknife, a Prestica issued stopwatch, that kind of thing, these would I’m sure be a treasured addition if you don’t find a more appropriate home for them.
Cheers..
Jase
That is just the sort of good home I had in mind Jason. If you PM me his postal address I will send them off.
I wouldn't expect a 14 yr old to have much money.
If he has a grateful parent or uncle, I would think that a small donation to the Royal British Legion would be appropriate, especially if it might do double duty as a birthday or late Christmas present, but may I leave that point to you to deliberate over? It certainly doesn't form part of the deal, I will send the medals to a rare example of his generation being aware of the concept of duty and sacrifice.
Do you have any relatives including distant relatives who might have known your mother and her family? Nowadays many people are interested in genealogy and there might be someone maybe distantly related to you who would welcome an opportunity to add to their (and your) family history.
Some fly fishing tackle is collectable and could be valuable ... and there are many Riley enthusiasts (especially members of the several Riley clubs) and specialist classic car auctioneers who would likely be interested in Riley spares. Covid rules/restrictions permitting.
dunk
EDIT: Posted before reading your 23.15 post ... I was busy looking up Riley owners' clubs ... there are several.
Last edited by sundial; 30th December 2020 at 00:35.
"Well they would say that ... wouldn't they!"
Thanks for the interest dunk, but I have outlived all eligible relatives, I am still fly fishing and couldn't possibly catch anything without at least two rooms full of tackle, and the members of all the major Riley clubs don't have any money at all between them. My master plan is to use one of the shipping containers I own as a coffin, and be buried with all my tackle and car spares.
And possibly a car or two.
Alec, that is incredibly decent of you, I will stress the personal nature to you of your generosity and that he appreciates what it means, I’ll send you a PM in the morning, and I would be very glad to arrange a suitable donation to the RBL.Originally Posted by unclealec
Cheers..
Jase
They live very near Plymouth too, so I can see a field trip in their future.
Cheers..
Jase
Lovely gesture. I’m sure the young man will be delighted to have them.
Great to see.
What an excellent result all round.
Don't just do something, sit there. - TNH
May I suggest a trip to the site of Stonehouse Baracks, a round trip on the Cremyll passenger ferry (still running - I cast my mother's ashes from it. She was a big woman; it was like a depth charge); maybe a pub lunch in the Edgcumbe Arms, or even better, a Dewdney bros. pasty.
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