Medals of No 1 Private Hugh John Adams, New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps

Although technically not the first member of the NZAOC, Private Hugh John Adams was a member of the first cohort to join the NZAOC on its formation in 1917 and he was allotted the NZAOC Service Number 1, it could be said that NZAOC No 1 Private Hugh John Adams was the first New Zealand Ordnance soldier.

Adams medals are currently for sale on Trademe and the purpose of this appeal is to raise funds to place and win a bid for the purchase of these medals.

The medals are the Permanent Forces of the Empire Beyond the Seas and Good Conduct Medal and the Long Service and Efficient Service Medal.

There is little historic militaria relating to the New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps remaining from this period. As the Historian of the Royal New Zealand Army Ordnance Corps I am very motivated to secure these medals and have them refurbished and displayed in an appropriate location aggregable to the remaining members of the RNZAOC. Options for future display are at the Army Museum, an NZ Army Logistic unit such as the Trade Training School or passed to an organisation such as the United Services Medal Trust who specialise in the care of New Zealand Military medals.

If the target is exceeded, additional funds will be used to purchase NZAOC Corps badges of the correct period or display with the medals, if this is not possible the excess will be donated to an appropriate military charity such as the NZRSA Poppy appeal.

If the bid is not successful, the funds will be donated to an appropriate military charity such as the NZRSA Poppy appeal.

The Reserve is set at $500 so the goal set is $1000 to allow outbidding of other interested parties.