Blackburn soldier's medal found on sale in Afghanistan market (From Blackburn Citizen)
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Blackburn soldier's medal found on sale in Afghanistan market
8:00pm Saturday 17th November 2012 in News
A SOLDIER’S service medal which went missing for 13 years has been returned after it was found on sale in an Afghan market.
Mick France, a former Lance Corporal with the Queen's Lancashire Regiment, was reunited with his honour after being contacted on Facebook.
The medal was unearthed by Stan Bates, a Superintendent with West Yorkshire Police, who was working as a civilian adviser to the police in Afghanistan.
Mr Bates, from Burnley, said: "I regularly trawl the local bazaars in Kabul where India General Service Medals are not uncommon and, while doing so, one of my contacts showed me this medal.
"It was engraved with Mick's name and unit and obviously had a story to tell. So, having bartered the price down, I purchased it and contacted the Duke of Lancaster's Regimental Museum."
The Regiment set about tracking down Mr France via its network of ex-soldiers and by using Facebook.
Mr France, 39, from Blackburn, said: "My girlfriend rang me. She had opened an account on Facebook that I never check.
“She said that my platoon sergeant in Berlin had contacted me and wanted me to call him.
“I obliged as he always had something stupid to say to me because he comes from Burnley and I'm from Blackburn.
"After speaking to him I was amazed that my medal had been found in a bazaar in Afghanistan - a place that I never went with my regiment."
Jeff Ashton, area secretary for The Duke of Lancaster's Regiment, said: "It's been a pleasure to help get the medal back to its rightful owner.
“We've an impressive collection of our own here at the museum but it's always nice to see medals being worn with pride by the recipient, and Mick assures me he'll be keeping a close eye on it from now on."
Mr France was presented with his Northern Ireland service medal for a second time by Mr Bates during a ceremony at the Regiment's headquarters at Fulwood Barracks in Preston.
Comments(17)
Far East Calling
says...
2:30am Sun 18 Nov 12
2 for 5p
says...
6:02am Sun 18 Nov 12
Far East Calling wrote:I tell it as I see it
2 For 5p your full of pleasant thoughts.
Mon
says...
6:16am Sun 18 Nov 12
useyourhead
says...
1:24pm Sun 18 Nov 12
2 for 5p wrote:nothing but an insidious little guttersnipe aren't you?
QUESTIONS:
The story seems odd to
Me how did Mick France loose the medal in the first place. It never says inthe article that mr France reported it stolen.
Perhaps he sold it for a few lousy pints , and now you soft clots are giving it him back to sell again for ale.
Bramley Meade Boy
says...
1:44pm Sun 18 Nov 12
2 for 5p wrote:The man who calls a spade a spade should be compelled to use one, it is the only thing he is fit for - Oscar Wilde
Far East Calling wrote:I tell it as I see it
2 For 5p your full of pleasant thoughts.
buzzinfly
says...
4:58pm Sun 18 Nov 12
2 for 5p wrote:Lend me your eyes, I can change what you see.
Far East Calling wrote:I tell it as I see it
2 For 5p your full of pleasant thoughts.
Chris Gardner
says...
5:37pm Sun 18 Nov 12
sen c ble
says...
6:20pm Sun 18 Nov 12
ANGIE MAXI MURRAY
says...
12:04pm Mon 19 Nov 12
useyourhead
says...
1:48pm Mon 19 Nov 12
ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote:I don't think any of these saw it, it sounds like they are just going off the article and making up the rest Ange, don't let em get to ya haha I thought it was a great story.
THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.
ladysal
says...
4:28pm Mon 19 Nov 12
useyourhead wrote:Don't worry about it Ange: 2p for 5p is like that with everything....
ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote: THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.I don't think any of these saw it, it sounds like they are just going off the article and making up the rest Ange, don't let em get to ya haha I thought it was a great story.
Everyone else: read the same story on the BBC and you will discover that the bloke has known that his medal was missing for a number of years, but has been blaming his mum for losing it. She will now be getting her own back as it seems he lost it when leaving Berlin.....
Just glad you got it back mate.....
2 for 5p
says...
6:54pm Mon 19 Nov 12
ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote:Oh yes i am sorry I forgot , after a few years military medals sprout legs and run down to the pawn brokers yo be sold . The owner then suddenly goes to the pub and gets legless .
THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.
I will have to keep mine locked up in a strong box .
sen c ble
says...
6:59pm Mon 19 Nov 12
2 for 5p wrote:Yes and I bet he's reshaping his head with a hammer, wishing it never came back!
ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote:Oh yes i am sorry I forgot , after a few years military medals sprout legs and run down to the pawn brokers yo be sold . The owner then suddenly goes to the pub and gets legless .
THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.
I will have to keep mine locked up in a strong box .
ladysal
says...
8:25am Tue 20 Nov 12
sen c ble wrote:Isn't it amazing how you both manage to ignore the full story? Whats the matter? Doesn't it fit in with your view of the world?
2 for 5p wrote:Yes and I bet he's reshaping his head with a hammer, wishing it never came back!ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote: THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.Oh yes i am sorry I forgot , after a few years military medals sprout legs and run down to the pawn brokers yo be sold . The owner then suddenly goes to the pub and gets legless . I will have to keep mine locked up in a strong box .
sen c ble
says...
3:14pm Tue 20 Nov 12
ladysal wrote:In simple terms we're not easily fooled!
sen c ble wrote:Isn't it amazing how you both manage to ignore the full story? Whats the matter? Doesn't it fit in with your view of the world?
2 for 5p wrote:Yes and I bet he's reshaping his head with a hammer, wishing it never came back!ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote: THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.Oh yes i am sorry I forgot , after a few years military medals sprout legs and run down to the pawn brokers yo be sold . The owner then suddenly goes to the pub and gets legless . I will have to keep mine locked up in a strong box .
thoroughbred
says...
12:57am Wed 21 Nov 12
sen c ble wrote:these two numptys are obviously averse to the virtues of the hero's this country breed.
ladysal wrote:In simple terms we're not easily fooled!
sen c ble wrote:Isn't it amazing how you both manage to ignore the full story? Whats the matter? Doesn't it fit in with your view of the world?
2 for 5p wrote:Yes and I bet he's reshaping his head with a hammer, wishing it never came back!ANGIE MAXI MURRAY wrote: THIS ISN'T A ODD STORY AT ALL ,THE FULL INTERVIEW WASN'T PLAYED AS THEY NEVER ARE. MICK DIDN'T KNOW HE HAD LOST HIS MEDAL HE THOUGHT IT WAS AT HOME WITH HIS OTHER IN A SAFE PLACE SO YOU CAN IMAGINE THE SHOCK HE HAD WHEN HE TOOK THE CALL. IM JUST SO PLEASE FOR HIM TO BE REUNITED WITH IT AGAIN AFTER ALL THIS TIME AND THE STUPID LITTLE COMMENTS ON HERE ARE OUT OF ORDER. ITS A GREAT STORY AND A LOT OF PEOPLE WHERE VERY INTERESTED IN IT SO WHY NOT SHARE IT WITH THE NATION.Oh yes i am sorry I forgot , after a few years military medals sprout legs and run down to the pawn brokers yo be sold . The owner then suddenly goes to the pub and gets legless . I will have to keep mine locked up in a strong box .
Get off your fat, lazy arses you pair of dolites, with nothing better to do than slag off every article that makes you tosspots feel inadequate!!!
National Service would have sorted you two put!!!
2 for 5p says...
11:22pm Sat 17 Nov 12
The story seems odd to
Me how did Mick France loose the medal in the first place. It never says inthe article that mr France reported it stolen.
Perhaps he sold it for a few lousy pints , and now you soft clots are giving it him back to sell again for ale.