Long-lost military medals returned to Winnipeg family

Medals belonging to a Canadian veteran have been returned to a Winnipeg family thanks to a Saskatchewan man's love of military history.

Four medals, one dog tag, a poppy and a black and white photo sit together on a display board on Bill Rayners lap.

They are treasured historic keepsakes that are finally in the proper hands.

“It really helps remember him and remember who he was,” Rayner said.

Rayner, a Winnipegger, cherishes these items. The medals and dog tag belonged to his late Uncle Mel, who served in the Second World War.

It comes a week after Global News ran a story on a Saskatchewan-based military historian, who was looking to reunite these misplaced medals with a Winnipeg family.

“It was sure a surprise when I was watching TV and the first thing I saw was Ledingham and thought, gee, that could be my uncle,” Rayner said.

Rayner is the oldest surviving relative of his uncle. He wasted no time after hearing his name on TV and immediately contacted the historian, John Brady McDonald.

McDonald put the medals in the mail that day and they arrived in Winnipeg on Wednesday.