A World War I Victory Medal similar to the one awarded to Moree-born soldier Samuel Parry. The medal pictured is not Samuel Parry’s original medal. Photo: Moree Online News.
A World War I Victory Medal given away by Moree-born soldier Samuel Parry decades ago could soon be reunited with his family, if Moree RSL sub-Branch can find his descendants.
Unlike many military medals discovered in collections or bought at auction, this medal has stayed with the person Samuel Parry personally gave it to.
The medal is held by Toni, who does not want her surname published. Moree RSL sub-Branch Secretary Treasurer John Tramby said Samuel personally gave Toni the medal when she was a young girl, and after treasuring it for decades, she now feels it belongs with Samuel Parry’s family.
Samuel Parry was born in Moree and enlisted in the Australian Imperial Force at Moree on September 1, 1915. His attestation papers show he was 36, a labourer, single, and a natural-born British subject. They also list his next of kin as his brother, Reuben Parry, of Moree.
Samuel served as Private 2174 with the 31st Battalion. Australian War Memorial records list him as Private 2174, 31st Australian Infantry Battalion, and show he returned to Australia.
Mr Tramby said the medal is a First World War Victory Medal, one of the campaign medals awarded to Australians who served during the war. He said original medals were engraved with the recipient’s name and service number.
Do you know the Parry family?
The search is now focused on finding descendants or relatives connected to Samuel’s brother, Reuben Parry.
That family line may be the strongest lead because Samuel was listed as single when he enlisted, while Reuben was named as his next of kin.
The Australian Defence Force Academy’s AIF Project identifies 2174 Private Samuel Parry, 31st Battalion, as the uncle of Reuben Ashton Parry, suggesting Samuel’s brother Reuben had descendants.
Probate material for Reuben Parry, labourer, of Bellata, also names James H. Parry and Reuben A. Parry, providing further possible leads for tracing the family.
Moree RSL sub-Branch is particularly keen to hear from members of the Parry family with links to Moree, Bellata, Pallamallawa or Goodooga, including descendants of Reuben Parry or Reuben Ashton Parry.
Anyone with information that may help identify Samuel Parry’s family is encouraged to contact Moree RSL sub-Branch by email at [email protected].
If the search is successful, a medal carefully treasured for decades could finally find its way home through someone who recognises the Parry family story.
