History detectives solve medals riddle (From Western Telegraph)

History detectives solve medals riddle

8:50am Sunday 3rd February 2013 in County News

Three Tasker Milward School pupils have helped reunite a Bridgend family with two medals awarded to a relative for his service in the First World War.

History teacher at the Haverfordwest school, Aled Rumble, discovered the War and Commonwealth medals awarded to Harold John Bunston following the death of a relative, but had no idea where they came from.

Year nine pupils Caitlin Evans, Anisha Rahman and Nadirah Subhan, who attend Mr Rumble’s history club in their break time, spent a year learning more about Harold’s service record and trying to trace his family.

The girls discovered Harold worked on the Great Western Railway pre-1914, and had enlisted with the Royal Engineers as a Sapper, where his railway expertise was put to use in the field.

They also found he had been involved in a number of battles, including the second and third battles of Gaza, and several in France including the battles of Albert, Scarpe, and the final advance on Artois.

Last Friday, the girls presented four members of Harold’s family with the medals and the research they had compiled.

Harold’s son Arthur said: “We would never have known had it not been for these young ladies.”

Grandson Alun said the family had never told him much about his grandfather’s military background.

“We have very little information about him, other than he was involved in the Great Western Railway.”

Pupils have also researched the 36 former Tasker’s students who died in the First World War, and produced a video detailing when and where they died.

Local MP Stephen Crabb said: “It’s such a powerful piece of work. For us people from Pembrokeshire the names in the film were very typical surnames and behind each one is a story.”