All about war medals and memorabilia

DAVID Wright, owner of David Wright Militaria and Collectables, will be at the Ballaarat Mechanics’ Institute next week discussing Australian war medals and military memorabilia.

Mr Wright will talk about medals from Sudan in 1885, The Boer War from 1899 to 1905, World War One and Two, and other conflicts.

He will also share information about the correct wearing and care of medals, badges such as the Widow’s Badge and the Mother’s Badge, and other aspects of memorabilia.

“With it coming up to Anzac Day it’s good to inform people why we have Anzac Day and why medals are worn,” Mr Wright said.

“Where do those medals come from, what conflicts are those medals there?”

Mr Wright became interested in war medals and military memorabilia when he was a child.

He served in the Ordnance Corps in the Regular Army from 1976 to 1986 and was a storeman during the building of Adelaide Casino.

In 1997, Mr Wright moved to Ballarat and opened his own shop in 2007, which is now located in Shepherd Street behind the old Ranger Barracks.

“Way, way back when I was a young fellow I just fell in love with the military and wanted to collect it to keep history alive,” Mr Wright said.

“When I was old enough and able enough, I joined the cadet forces and from the cadet forces to the regular army.

“The interest just kept growing and growing.”

The Twilight Talk will be on Wednesday 16 April from 5.50pm. To purchase a ticket, visit the BMI website.