70-year-old bravery medal found in US pawnbrokers

[Neil]

Courtesy of BBC Online 20th ~ November 2010

A bravery medal awarded to a North Wales policeman 70 years ago has turned up in pawnbroker's shop, 4,500 miles away. Officers from New Orleans Police in the United States hope to reunite the owner or their descendants with the trophy. It was awarded for saving someone from drowning.

The inscription says it was presented to "DT Sgt JR Oxley" for a "gallant rescue of a drowning person" in Kinmel Bay, July 1938.

Det Kevin Higgins from New Orleans police department in Louisiana contacted North Wales Police to see if staff past and present could help.

"It is very well worn and I would presume has extreme sentimental value to the detective sergeant and or the family members as an heirloom," he said.

Librarians at Abergele checked without success their copies of local newspapers from the time, although they did find reports of three drowning incidents in Kinmel Bay in July and August 1938. And retired police officer Gwyn Roberts, secretary of the north Wales branch of the National Association of Retired Police Officers, has, so far, had no success either.

On Thursday, he contacted older retired officers from both former Denbighshire and Flintshire constabularies.

Mr Roberts also wonders whether the award could have been presented to an Army officer who may have been serving at the former Kinmel army camp at the time.

Anyone who recognises the medallion or has information about the owner or their family can contact North Wales Police press office on 01492 804666.