03-07-2025
Antiques Roadshow guest exclaims 'Jeez' at true value of grandad's treasured war medals
Our community members are treated to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. You can check out at any time. More info
An Antiques Roadshow guest couldn't stop beaming when he discvoered the hefty value of his grandad's Second World War medals.
BBC expert Graham Lay was at Durham Cathedral to scrutinise a range of cherished belongings, including a set of RAF medals brought in by a younger visitor.
Lay kicked off the conversation with: "You've got a very interesting collection of RAF memorabilia here but what's a young man like you doing with it?"
The guest explained: "Well these were my grandad's medals. When he died in 1989, they were left to my grandmother and when she passed away, they were passed on to me and that's why I've brought them here today."
He also shared a bit about his grandfather's wartime experience, noting he had to "lie about his age" since he was only 17 in 1939.
Delving deeper into his grandad's role, he said: "He was a navigator, so basically co-ordinating the attacks over Germany.
"He amusingly couldn't find his way to South Shields but he could navigate over the east. He always used to fight with my grandma."
With a chuckle, Lay responded: "Isn't that funny. And he was a very, very young man", prompting the guest to chime in: "Yeah no older than me."
The expert then pondered on the thought: "If you'd gone back to the Second World War, you could have been flying in bombers like your grandfather at your age. How does that make you feel?"
(Image: BBC)
"An overwhelming sense of pride to be honest, because my grandad went away not knowing if he was coming back the next day," the guest revealed.
"And what we take for granted here is what they did."
Alongside a logbook documenting all the missions his grandfather had completed, the young visitor also brought along a Distinguished Flying Cross.
He explained: "Well I'm led to believe he only meant to do like a certain amount of missions ranging in the 20s but he did a lot more than that, maybe double the amount of missions you're meant to do.
"So he maybe did 60 or so missions," Lay noted.
"That's astounding. He didn't have to, he could have gone on to train others you see, having done his required number.
"But a lot of servicemen, a lot of air crew did actually continue and sadly, of course, many of them perished but he didn't. He carried on through the war."
Examining the medals more closely, the expert identified them as the Air Crew Europe, the 1939-1945 Star and the War Medal.
However, with only three medals accompanying four ribbons, the owner suspected one might be missing.
Lay clarified: "This is the Defence Medal ribbon, so somewhere there is a Defence Medal but the good news is you can buy Defence Medals from medal dealers.
(Image: BBC)
"You can find them, not everywhere, but they're very common medals.
"They're not named either like First World War medals are so you can easily find one and makeup the complete set."
The guest on Antiques Roadshow was in for a surprise as he presented medals, a log book, a navigator badge, and a cap badge, all once belonging to his grandfather.
A photograph of the grandad showcased these items, prompting expert Lay to observe, "And actually, if you don't mind me saying so, you look very similar to your grandfather. The eyes are remarkable."
The guest, clearly moved, responded with "Very proud grandson," When it came to valuation, Lay estimated: "If these came up on the auction market today, if you sold them, they would sell for something in the region of £3,500 to £4,500."
The guest exclaimed: "Jeez. That's quite a substantial total", while Lay noted, "It's a testament to the bravery of a very young man."
The segment concluded with the guest expressing deep emotion: "It's overwhelming. An overwhelming sense of pride."
Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.
