War medal back with soldier's family

Napier RSA vice-president Joy Miller (left) with Marjorie Robinson, niece of Napier soldier Sydney Cox. Photo / Paul Taylor

The relatives of Napier man Sydney Cox who died in battle during World War I have been reunited with his unique bronze "death penny" medal.

The medals were issued to the next-of-kin of soldiers who were killed during war service.

Napier RSA vice-president Joy Miller said: "I am very pleased the family have got it back now."

Relatives of Private Cox, who died at the age of 23, in France and is buried in the Caterpillar Valley Cemetery in Longueval, were delighted to learn about a fortnight ago that the framed medal and information about his military service, had been passed on to the RSA's national body by a collector of militaria in Australia.

Marjorie Robinson, who is Private Cox's niece, said it was not known how the medal came to end up being bought by a collector, and like the members of the local RSA, was pleased to see it back with family.

"It was very good news to hear the medal was coming home," she said.

Mrs Robinson and other relatives were presented with the framed items at the Napier RSA yesterday .

They were initially brought to the local association's attention by the national president Don McIver after he received them from Australia.

The information they had was Mr Cox's parents had lived in Hastings St, Napier.

Mrs Robinson saw a story about the search for relatives in Hawke's Bay Today and was soon in touch with the Napier RSA.

She said the family was thrilled to have the bronze medal back and it would likely be held, on behalf of the family, by a relative who had served with the SAS and had a collection of several other medals.

Private Cox's medal had been in the possession of Australian veteran, 92-year-old Bruce Myers who lives in Tasmania.

He wrote to the RSA and said "some years back I purchased this so I had it framed along with his records".

Mr Myers said it had been lying in a drawer "for some time" and he decided it should be in the hands of any relatives Private Cox may have had.

He said he was prompted by next year being the 100th anniversary of Gallipoli.

"I thought that was a wonderful thing," Ms Miller said. "I am so thrilled how it has all worked out."