Frame of honour … Altona’s Clive Pattie proudly displays the World War II medals that his father never knew at the Newport RSL. The medals sat unclaimed in Canberra for 60 years until Clive tracked them down. By Briar Sinclair
AN Altona man has been presented with his late father’s war medals after they remained unclaimed for 60 years.
And if he had not wanted to honour his family history, the medals would still be in the hands of the Department of Defence.
Clive Pattie, a Newport RSL affiliate member, became part of an RSL program called Community Link because of the efforts of fellow RSL member Jim Gresty.
Community Link is for people to take part in RSL traditions and projects including Anzac Day and to buy veteran memorabilia plaques.
“I got involved in Community Link as a member and to help Jim,” Mr Pattie said.
“I decided to send away for the memorabilia. They (Community Link) research the vet’s war history and it came about that dad’s war medals had never been presented to him.”
Mr Pattie applied to the Department of Defence for the medals and Gellibrand MP Nicola Roxon presented them to him on Friday.
“I’ve had them court mounted and framed and they were presented with a government certificate of appreciation sent out to all vets,” he said.
“If it hadn’t have been for Jim and Community Link I would never have known my father’s medals had not been presented.”
Mr Pattie said his dad Jack joined the army in Ballarat in 1941, before serving in Egypt.
“He got a belly problem, it wasn’t a wound. I guess a lot of guys in the Middle East got stomach problems.
“He got sent back to Australia and the day he was discharged from the army he joined the air force.
“He went to the US and Canada and was a wireless operator until 1947.
“Dad always went to Anzac Day and Remembrance Day marches but he never talked about the war, never and I guess the things with his belly contributed to his death because he died at 51 of bowel cancer,” Mr Pattie said.
Five medals were presented – the Africa Star, Defence Medal, War Medal 1939-45, Australian Service Medal 1939-45 and the 1939-45 Star.
A Defence spokesperson said medal entitlements for World War II were not established until some time after the end of the war.
“Some medals were issued to those entitled, but in many cases medals were not issued as address details of recipients or next of kin were unknown or unconfirmed,” they said.
“It was up to the ex-service person or next of kin to apply for the medals.
“For example, the Australian Service Medal 1939-45 was not introduced until 1949 and service personnel or next of kin had to apply.”
Mr Pattie said he was thrilled.
“It’s something I’ll treasure. Dad never wore them so I won’t either.”
Anyone interested in joining the RSL’s Community Link can contact Mr Gresty on 0419 509 848 or Mr Pattie on 0422 560 298.
