Medals from the Collection of Peter and Dee Helmore

Peter and Dee Helmore

Having both now reached a significant age we have reluctantly decided the time has come to begin handing over custodianship of what has become our extended family. It is hoped the new owners will be rewarded with as much enjoyment from their company as we have both received.

The collection began in the early 1960’s and has evolved from being quite general to one focused around the county of Devon, where we first met. The 11th Foot, The Devonshire Regiment and related units soon however became the predominate theme. In the 1980’s the late Bill Fevyer introduced us to life-saving medals and they have subsequently featured strongly. Latterly we have sought long service groups containing campaign medals not already featuring in the collection, preferably but not exclusively to recipients from the west country.

Research has always been our principal interest, and this was very much influenced by the late Captain K. J. Douglas Morris, R.N.. We have spent many happy hours visiting archives across the country seeking out the more obscure information to add to the stories that bring the recipients to life. In retirement we have committed the last 20 years jointly working as volunteers at The National Archives indexing items for Discovery, the TNA on-line search facility: these range from Napoleonic wars pension correspondence (WO 121) through to the recently made available Second World War Prisoner of War cards (WO 416). We currently spend two days a week indexing the Great War medical records contained within the MH 106 series, a four-year project for a group of twelve volunteers – researchers will find this to be a mine of information where past Great War records have sadly not survived.

Working with the team at Noonans we wish to offer our collection gradually over the coming months. These will be released in tranches selected to appeal to collectors of all interests and of all means, and hopefully there will be something for everyone.
Peter and Dee Helmore
High Wycombe
September 2004.