Simon Birch Posted 10 July , 2012 Share Posted 10 July , 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18772752 Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 10 July , 2012 Share Posted 10 July , 2012 What a lovely medal group. All O.C enthusiasts will be drooling. A nice detail that his German officer captors invited him to dinner when the VC award was announced. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Waggoner Posted 10 July , 2012 Share Posted 10 July , 2012 Simon, A great story! Thank you for posting it. All the best, Gary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ice Tiger Posted 10 July , 2012 Share Posted 10 July , 2012 No doubt it will be appearing in a museum near you soon (as long as you live in London that is ) Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Birch Posted 10 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 10 July , 2012 I think I will have to check my piggy bank - but may need to pass the hat around... Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marco Posted 11 July , 2012 Share Posted 11 July , 2012 Police should question the buyer in relation to the stolen memorial plaque at Mons for Godley's action.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Admin spof Posted 11 July , 2012 Admin Share Posted 11 July , 2012 Look at what else is up for sale at the same auction http://www.spink.com/asp/fullCatalogue.asp?salelot=12003++++++2+&refno=11630545 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ianw Posted 11 July , 2012 Share Posted 11 July , 2012 That Kilby Group and the associated story is awesome too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staffsyeoman Posted 11 July , 2012 Share Posted 11 July , 2012 No doubt it will be appearing in a museum near you soon (as long as you live in London that is ) Andy And why shouldn't it be? Given that the Royal Fusiliers were a London regiment (both small 'r' and capital 'R')... But reading between the lines I assume you think/hope that melord Ashcroft will buy it for the IWM - and I hope he does! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old joe Posted 12 July , 2012 Share Posted 12 July , 2012 A well earned award and hopefully his group will be displayed so that his service is not forgotten. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 19 July , 2012 Share Posted 19 July , 2012 Click on the link for the complete Spink auction catalogue - will load a PDF http://www.spink.com/auctions/pdf/12003.pdf Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Steven Broomfield Posted 19 July , 2012 Share Posted 19 July , 2012 I think I will have to check my piggy bank - but may need to pass the hat around... Simon I'm OK for ten bob if it's any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keithmroberts Posted 19 July , 2012 Share Posted 19 July , 2012 Total sale price £276,000 Lets hope that it does end up in an appropriate home. Keith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John_Hartley Posted 19 July , 2012 Share Posted 19 July , 2012 http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-18901522 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Birch Posted 19 July , 2012 Author Share Posted 19 July , 2012 I was just pondering if I would like to own a VC. My initial thought was of course I would – what a great thing to have on the wall. However on reflection I think not. Apart from the security issues that would presumably mean that it would have to be in a vault somewhere, medals of this kind really should be on display where the general public can remember the effort and valour that went into winning one. So I do hope that this collection does not go into a private collection that hides them away. Medals were always meant for showing & to be proud of – and not hiding in a vault. And my piggy bank sighed with relief! Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 20 July , 2012 Share Posted 20 July , 2012 According to the Daily Telegraph today here in the UK the buyer was not Lord Ashcroft so if this is correct to all intents and purposes this unique medal will disappear into someone’s collection and not be seen again which for what is a national treasure will be most unfortunate to say the least. Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralphjd Posted 20 July , 2012 Share Posted 20 July , 2012 Unfortunate doesn't begin to describe it. Such a shame it will be hidden from view,but you never know perhaps the new "owner" will have it displayed securely somewhere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
War13Memorial Posted 20 July , 2012 Share Posted 20 July , 2012 The VC won by Lance Corporal Charles Alfred Jarvis on the same day 23 August 1914 is the property of Birmingham Museum. Earlier on this year it was not on display. I agree, should not be hidden from view. Billy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moriaty Posted 21 July , 2012 Share Posted 21 July , 2012 Private Godley's son bought his father's medals along to a lecture at the National Army Museum a few years ago. Apparently, when his father used to go parades, he would to produce the medals out of his raincoat pocket. I think his son bought the medals to the NAM in a carrier bag. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 22 July , 2012 Share Posted 22 July , 2012 This is an article published in the Daily Telegraph on Saturday 21st July 2012:- DAUGHTERS HEARTBREAK AT SALE OF VICTORIA CROSS The sale of a Victoria Cross won by a First World War hero has “devastated” his daughter, who wanted it donated to a museum. The medal was awarded to Sidney Godley for his “coolness and gallantry” at Nimy Bridge during the Battle of Mons in August 1914 and was the first given to a Private in the war. It had been in his family since he received it at Buckingham Palace in 1919. The war hero’s daughter Eileen Slade, 89 from Essex, said the sale was like “losing one of the family”. Her nephew Colin Godley who sold the medal, said it was a “family matter”. The VC fetched £276,000. Norman Edited to add: Much more in the internet version of the article here: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/history/9416262/Sale-of-Victoria-Cross-leaves-family-devastated.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Simon Birch Posted 15 August , 2012 Author Share Posted 15 August , 2012 That is a very sad story - I wonder what the costs of insuring the medals was.... Simon Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seadog Posted 15 August , 2012 Share Posted 15 August , 2012 Just gives you a warm glow of affection for some members of the human race, doesn’t it Simon? Norman Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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