“The lost memorials to three New Zealand soldiers who died in World War I have been unearthed from the bottom of a box in the City Archives [Wellington City Council] - almost a century after they were issued.

Three sets of medals, memorial plaques, scrolls, and letters from King George V, have been discovered after they never reached the families of the dead soldiers. Two illuminated certificates of service - an illustrated certificate sent to the families of Kiwi servicemen - were also found.

The trove was uncovered at the bottom of a box of Union Steam Ship Company records, marked as World War I accounts and records.
It appeared the army had attempted to send the honours to the three soldiers' families … After being unable to find anyone, the honours were passed on to the men's employer, the Union Steam Ship Company, which agreed to "hold them in trust".

FRANCIS DESMOND
“Born in Ireland in 1886, he enlisted while working as a seaman for the Union Steam Ship Company. He served in the Otago Regiment in Egypt and France and was killed in action in June 1917. He had nominated his fiancee, May Booth, as his next of kin. Her address was given as c/o Post Office, Ophir, Central Otago. His legal next of kin was "unknown". He received a plaque and scroll, the English War Medal, the Victory Medal and the 1914-1915 Star. He also received an illuminated certificate of service.”

[The Dominion Post, 4 April 2015]