100 years of WW1 Commemoration Display

From our 100years WW1 Commemoration Display (currently exhibited):

WESNEY MEDAL:
(photograph only)

Designed and made locally -
The Otautau Museum & Heritage Trust does not have this medal or any of these medals in its current collection, but the photograph we do have (above), is a clear indication of the quality of workmanship and dedication to a worthy cause, by our most famous local Otautau jeweller, W.J. (Bill) Wesney...

The medal shown above was designed and made by W J Wesney (or Bill), a jeweller who had premises in Otautau and Riverton in Southland. As the Riverton newspaper the Western Star reported on 8 September 1916 (below): 



“Mr W.J. Wesney ... designed a most appropriate and very handsome gold medal to the order of the Otautau Patriotic Committee. These are to be presented to all returned soldiers who at the time of enlistment had been resident 12 months in Otautau, and to the parents of those who have died in the service of their country. The medal can be worn on the watch-chain or breast as desired. On the obverse there are crossed rifles surmounting a crown, beneath which is the monogram NZ in bold letters ornamented at the base with two fern leaves. On the reverse is the name and particulars of the recipient ... Mr Wesney has registered the design so that it cannot be copied, and any [patriotic] committees wishing information should correspond with him.”
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The medals were also ordered by different groups and given to other returned servicemen across Southland at least, as is evidenced by the one owned by Te Papa Tongawhera (our national museum), which was bought and given to James Gordon Campbell by his friends in Houipapa as a present after his safe return from World War I (also known as the Great War). James Campbell was a farmer from Houipapa, a locality about 10 kilometres from Owaka in the Catlins area of South Otago. He sailed from New Zealand with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force's 38th Reinforcements on 5 June 1918.
NOTE: Mr WJ Wesney, who designed this medal, along with his wife Mrs GL Wesney, died together in a motor accident at "Heenan's Corner" on the Hundred Line on 30th Nov. 1964, aged 76 and 64 years respectively. Both are interred in the Otautau Cemetery. The town of Otautau lost a great man, a leader in the community.

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You're always welcome at our place on Sundays, 2pm-4pm, and by request on other days, just contact us on Email: collections.otautaumuseum@gmail.com  Cell: 027-211-4675 or Ph: 03-225-8991