Appeal to find fallen Sheffield soldier's Great War medal after it was sold at auction for just £25

A Sheffield dad is trying to find out who currently owns one of his great-great-uncle’s war medals in the hope of reuniting it with the fallen serviceman’s surviving family.
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Kyle Williamson, aged 24, wants to find out what happened to a medal his great-great-uncle Sam White won for his service in the First World War.

Kyle, who comes from Woodhouse, heard about Private White from his grandad, and after researching his history, found out the York and Lancaster Regiment soldier had been awarded a medal that was sold at auction in 2016.

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However, despite getting in touch with the Sheffield auction house which sold it, he has so far been unable to find out where it went and is now asking the public to help him find it.

Private Sam White and the medal he won for his service in World War One.Private Sam White and the medal he won for his service in World War One.
Private Sam White and the medal he won for his service in World War One.

He said: “It was only bought for £25 but for his family it is worth a lot more than that in sentimental value.

“The auction house agreed to send a letter to the person who bought it but so far no one has come forward.”

Tragically, Private White died from gunshot wounds in Turkey aged just 19 on November 4, 1915, and is buried at the Hill 10 war cemetery near Gallipoli.

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His medals were passed on to his brother Ernest after his death, and he is also remembered on the war memorial at the Parish Church of St Mary the Virgin on Handsworth Road.

Kyle Williamson and family.Kyle Williamson and family.
Kyle Williamson and family.

“Because his mum had died when he was young, his medals were passed to his brother after his death, but we don’t know what happened to them after that,” said Kyle.

“But as soon as I started researching him the first thing that came up in Google was a reference to his Great War medal being sold at auction in Sheffield.

"In some ways I wish I hadn't seen it because it is driving me mad not knowing where it is. But I’m going to do everything I possibly can do track it down.”

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If you know anything about who bought Private White’s medal or where it might currently be, please email the Sheffield Star on [email protected].

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