Remembrance Day showcase shares stories behind medals

Residents at Bolton Clarke’s Europa on Alma and Callisto Place will take a journey through military history in the lead up to Remembrance Day when veteran and collector Gus shares his extensive collection of historic military medals and the remarkable stories behind them.

A military history enthusiast and former serviceman, Gus has spent the past five years building a collection of more than 26 medals from conflicts spanning centuries, including the Napoleonic Wars, World War I and World War II.

The Bolton Clarke Martha Cove resident says he has uncovered the personal histories of the soldiers, nurses and families connected to each medal in his collection.

“They’re all original, they’ve got history and they have a story and that’s what makes them interesting,” Gus said.

Gus, who served in the military for six years and remains involved with the Light Horse Association, said his fascination with military history inspired him to begin collecting.

“I was always interested in military history, but I never really got into the medals until about five years ago.

“That’s where I started. I was just getting interested in them and I started collecting.”

Much of the collection has been sourced through auction houses and collectors, with Gus spending countless hours researching each piece to verify its authenticity and uncover its story.

Among the most significant items is a World War I memorial plaque, commonly known as a ‘Death Penny’, awarded to the family of a soldier killed in service.

“The particular one I have belonged to a fellow who was killed on his second day at Gallipoli,” Gus said.

“I’ve got his name and details, his family in England, and where the medal came from. You can trace the whole story.”

The collection also includes medals awarded to volunteer nurses, family badges presented to mothers of serving soldiers and decorations linked to notable historical figures and events.

When Gus presents the collection to fellow Bolton Clarke residents, he hopes it will spark conversations about military service, sacrifice and family history.

“People come to me and say that their uncle or father never talked much about the war.

“They won’t talk about the war, but they’ll talk about their medals.”

Gus believes the medals open a unique window into the past by focusing on the people behind them.

“Some of the nurses’ stories are just unbelievable.

“For example, I’ve got the medals of twin sisters who served together.”

During the presentation, residents will be invited to view the medals up close and learn about the individuals connected to each one.

“I’ll talk about the medals, their history, their story, and what they represent.

“I think it’ll bring up a lot of discussions and a lot of memories for people.”

For Gus, preserving and sharing these stories is just as important as collecting the medals themselves.

“It’s all interesting, you know. I really enjoy doing it.”