Missing WW1 Medals George Gibson RNR 4649

[Joeyd13]

My great grandfather, George Duncan Gibson 1880-1920 of South Shields served in WW1 as an Engineman in the RNR ON 4649 ES & until he died in 1920. He was mentioned in Dispatches on 6 April 1918 for the part he played in the recovery of a German mine on 12 December 1917 on board HM Manx King. I have his paperwork passed through my late father, but don’t have his medals, The British War Medal & Victory Medal. They aren’t in the possession of his direct descendants. I’ve been looking for them for many years including weekly trawls through local auction catalogues, just in case. If anyone comes across them or there are any Gibson relatives who may be able to locate them please let me know. I would be so so grateful!

[GR2]

It is always possible that his medals were not claimed as he died so early. In that case, I believe you can still claim them.

Probably if you click on the Rootschat search facility via the brown band at the top of the page and then search for claiming medals or missing medals or the like, zillions of past posts will come up with suitable advice.

[Joeyd13]

Thank you! But from the paperwork, it appears they were sent out posthumously. Perhaps my Grandfather sold them or something at a later date, times were so very hard.

[BumbleB]

Alternatively you could purchase "duplicate" medals from this company.  I have dealt with them in the past and they offer a good service.

https://www.worcmedals.com/

ADDED:  I am sure that there are other suppliers of medals.

[Joeyd13]

Thank you yes I have seen duplicates online but there is something about having his originals, I feel they are out there somewhere! I do have the possibility of duplicates as a fall back.

[RossGillbanks]

Thank you yes I have seen duplicates online but there is something about having his originals, I feel they are out there somewhere! I do have the possibility of duplicates as a fall back.

I have a similar situation, medals where claimed (confirmed by MOD) but I have yet to come across them or any for that ancestor or any distant ancestors either for that matter. The only thing I could think of was maybe they were buried with their medals?

[Joeyd13]

Oh I hadn’t actually considered that, Thank you! I do see some where the name has been erased from the sides. Have absolutely no idea who or why people do that but I’d wondered about that too.

[Ashtone]

Do you have a family tree on Ancestry featuring George Gibson? I know of one WW1 medals buyer who contacts Ancestry tree owners, letting them know he has acquired their relative's medal. Whenever he obtains a medal, he thoroughly researches the soldier, then looks to see if the soldier-in-question is included on an Ancestry tree. And no, he does not re-sell the medals.

[Joeyd13]

Yes my family tree is on Ancestry ‘Gibson Family Tree’ my user name is JoeyD13SS, do you know the collector/buyer?