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Barb Ribey, Museum Director, examines Medal of Victory presented by
Greg McClinchey as Archivist Anne Marie Collins looks on Military
valour throughout the ages has been recognized with the presentation of
medals. It's only recently through the Internet however, that medals
have become sought after by collectors resulting in many of them being
lost as inherited icons.
Greg McClinchey of Blythe is attempting to change that. "Valour should
not be for sale," says McClinchey. "These medals are a legacy that, as
Canadians, we all share. These medals belong at home. In other words,
they belong in the community or county from which the recipient came
from."
McClinchey was in Southampton, Saugeen Shores on Wednesday presenting a
Medal of Victory to the Bruce County Museum where it will be held on
display within the War Memorial section of the Museum. "This medal was
presented to Corporal George Ferguson, who was born in Teeswater in 1884
and who served in WWI. I found it on the Internet but it belongs here in
Bruce County and, especially here in the Museum, where it will have a
safe home and never again be sold." (next column)
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(continued)
Laura_Leonard_of_Collections,_Greg_McCLinche,_Director_Barb_Ribey_and_Archivist,_Anne_Marie_Collins[1].jpg)
(L) Laura Leonard of Collections, Greg McCLinche,
Director Barb Ribey and Archivist, Anne Marie Collins
McClinchey has found five medals in total that were
awarded to three different soldiers. "We recently found a father and son
set of medals, including a Silver Cross. The father was in WWI and the
son was killed in WWII. The Crawfords were from Huron County and their
medals will become part of the Memorial Hall in Blythe, which is a
living tribute to veterans."
Much of history is based on political climes and Greg McClinchey, who is
currently running for the Liberal leadership in Huron-Bruce, has a
passion for both.
"I've always been very interested in history and politics," he says,
"but, finding medals end ensuring that they are returned to their
rightful place and held in perpetuity, is one of the most important
things that anyone can do. There aren't many, if any, World War I
veterans left and the WWII vets are now becoming fewer. We must, as a
country and as a generation, preserve their memory for the future."
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