Genealogy Chat

the vast majority of WW1 medals that are for sale - they were sold by the original owners when times were really tough - The General Strike - 1926 or there abouts - people NEEDED money there and then . I agree that it would be lovely to hand them back to the original families - but the sheer logistics would make it impossible. Surely it was and is the choice of the owner what they do with the medals

To some extent I agree - don't sell the medal unless it is last resort ...... only problem is what have you got for the next last resort ?

Just thought I'd say I agree with Ian, I think medals should be kept and passed on, not sold unless it is a last resort and you desperately need the money. AL

Ian, Paul isnt ignoring you - hes sleeping. Have sent a mail to you . He was trying to get the point over that if you own something you can do what you want with it - and NO he wouldnt melt down medals - he has too great a respect for the people that were issued them. People set different values on items - one mans junk is another mans treasure. I personally cringe when I see hand embroidered table cloths heaped on car boot stalls - all I can imagine is someone sitting for hour upon hour stitching them - so I buy them - to me its rescuing them - giving them a good home - as they are very much treasured by me. She

Ian you must be on another planet, i have my fathers ww2 medals, but if i did not i would remorgage my house to owen them, and if i could find any of my grandfathers brothers ww1 medals on ebay i would pay any amount to owen them, cant see the point you are trying to make

Well perhaps I am old fashioned, but to make money from other peoples misery, is now agreeable.

Ian I realise that you are not just referring to one medal - but I still say, how daft to sell anything which is stolen on a Public Site. But as a Dealer myself (not in medals), I am quite used to the inference that all my stock must be stolen. I have never yet met a Dealer who knowingly buys stolen goods - it is not worth the bother, apart from the moral considerations - odd though it may seem, even Dealers have morals. I agree that these medals should have been cherished and treated with respect, but the sad fact is that many people had to sell them - the Government which awarded them these medals did nothing practical to help the men and their families - that IS a disgrace. And we are two or three generations on from that war and many descendants do not give a toss about GTGT Uncle George's medals, nor the sacrifices that were made. I reecently bought, quite legitimately, at a local auction, a box containing newspaper cuttings and letters, referring to a Breach of Promise case, 90 years ago in the local court. I returned them to their rightful owners (long story). They were of course worthless to anyone but the family involved. Had these papers been worth £1200, I would have sold them, and thought myself very lucky to have made such a profit. Sorry, but there it is. Marjorie

Paul (tigger) would you please answer my question.

My husband inherited medals from the Crimean War and a sold silver tankard for an act of bravery at the Battle of Inkerman c1855. These belonged to his step-father so there is no real sentiment attached as regards family,but we have researched the soldiers family and history,had them valued at the Antiques Road Show some eight years ago, and the estimate was £2,500 then, what they are worth now? We are keeping them as an investment for the future when we may need the money,had they belonged to our own family,perhaps we would think differently about selling them.Brenda

It is a shame when such items are sold by the individual or his family - these should be cherished by the family until they are really on the breadline. The problem these days is that people do not cherish these old things unless they are collectors - have you looked at what you have (if you are of a certain age - and wondered whether you should sell now at a realistic price or leave them for your children who may not give a damn aboiut them and put them on Ebay or a boot sale for whatever they can get. As for Flog It - I have to say that I get very irritated when I see the family silver or other things that have been inherited through several generations being sold 'for a holiday', 'to repair the drainpipe' 'to buy the grankid a car' - shows what they think of their ancestors. Then going to this hobby that I have been doing for many years and now, suddenly, is No.1 past-time. But who are we doing it for ? our own enjoyment or to hand down ? As far as my kids, and gr'kids go they dont appear to be very interested - maybe when I am no longer here they will then start to question their origins etc., but at this time seems I am doing it for ME.

Christopher Dunn -Dean, could you please answer.

so all medals that are sold are stolen???? while i don't disagree some may well be stolen, but i think the majority have been gained legitimately

Most medal dealers have a list of stolen medals that they carry around with them. Many medal web sites also have a seperate section dedicated to medals that have been stolen. This way, if anyone, dealer or collector sees these medals, then the appropriate action can be taken. However, if WW1 medals were stolen in 1920, how can this be proved? You would need a police report at the very least. Although I can apprecaite your comments Tony on how you would want to return an item to the rightful next of kin you must realise how hard this would be. What would you do if someone knocked on your door and told you that 80 years ago their great grand parents were swindled out of their home - your home. Would you just hand the keys over? Or, would you tell them that you purchased it and it is legally yours?

Paul LOL so you think its a joke to meld down war medals?.

Marjorie I am not reffering to ONE medal.

Keep trying to post a reply but it doesnt like what I'm saying! Briefly, how very DAFT to try to sell a stolen medal, of this importance and known provenance, on a world-wide site which is regularly monitored by the Police. And how do you know it isnt the rightful owner who is trying to sell it? Marjorie

Ian possession is 9/10ths of the law!!!!!!!!!

So one couple sell their heritage makes it right shame on them.

Ian its a dog eat dog world I would sell them make a tidy profit after all they would be legally mine to do whatever with I could even melt them down and make the wife a nice pair of earrings lol Paul

on one of the flog it stle programmes on tv recently a couple got rid of the uncles war papers - which were fascinating - but they wanted the money are you meaning that if you had bought something costing several hundred pounds - you would gladly give it to the descendant of the rightful owner. In an ideal world that is fantastic ......