Medals taken to battlefield in family tribute

Anzac Day was particularly significant for Petty Officer Geri Martin as the medals of her great-grandfather were taken to the shores where they were earned.

CAPTION: The medals of No. 252 Private Thomas Lowe, of Mitiamo, Victoria, in front of the 8th Light Horse Regiment panel at the Lone Pine Memorial, Gallipoli, on Anzac Day. Story by Lieutenant Anthony Martin. Photo by Corporal David Cotton.

No. 252 Private Thomas Lowe joined the 8th Light Horse Regiment, Australian Imperial Force, in 1914 in Victoria.

After spending time in Egypt, he and his unit fought at Gallipoli.

The 8th Light Horse suffered terrible losses during the Battle of the Nek in early August, 1915.

Private Lowe suffered concussion to the spine and was repatriated to Australia after spending time recovering on a hospital ship.

In 1995, his medals and ribbons were professionally restored for the family and have been proudly worn by Private Lowe’s great-great-grandchildren at Anzac services across Australia.

This year, Petty Officer Martin arranged for her great-grandfather’s medals to be taken to the Australian memorial at The Nek by a member of the Australian Defence Force ceremonial contingent at Gallipoli for Anzac Day. A photograph was taken of the medals at the memorial.

“It is a great honour to have these cherished family medals come full circle back to where Thomas served. My father and I are grateful for the opportunity for these medals to make the trip and for his grandfather’s service to be recognised in this way,” Petty Officer Martin said.

The Australian Federation Guard and Australian Army Band, working with the Department of Veterans Affairs, took part in a solemn and poignant dawn service at Anzac Cove and a commemorative service at the Australian Memorial at Lone Pine, Gallipoli, in Turkey on Anzac Day.

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