Military medals on show

22 February 2011

More than 40 military medals dating from 1864 will be on display at Te Awamutu Museum's new military medal exhibition which opens this weekend.

Symbols of Service - military medals from the museum collection' begins on Saturday, February 26 and is an exhibition about the stories, actions and people who received the medals.

All recipients have a Waipa connection. The medals on display were either awarded to residents or awarded for events that occurred in the Waipa district. Some were awarded for gallantry and bravery.

The Queen's South Africa medal was awarded to Te Awamutu resident George Osborne in 1902. Osborne fought in the Boer War between October 1898 and May 1902. When World War I was declared he re-enlisted. At Gallipoli he was injured and returned to New Zealand with a disability that affected his arm for the rest of his life.

Waipa District Council's museums and heritage director Jan White said the exhibition was an opportunity to share one of the museum's many unique collections with the community. She said this particular collection had not been on display for many years.

We know that more and more New Zealanders are interested in the history of our war times as a way of remembering and learning something about their relatives and loved ones who went to war. The exhibition will coincide with ANZAC day in April, Mrs White said.

Symbols of Service - military medals from the museum collection' will run from February 26 to May 2. For more information, visit the museum's website www.tamuseum.org.nz

ENDS

For more information contact:

Jacqui Humm, Waipa District Council.

Phone 027 532 1760, jacqui.humm@waipadc.govt.nz