TEN YEARS AGO Friday July 10, 2009

Back where it belongs

A brave firefighter’s medal is back home in Campbeltown, where it belongs, after five years of detective work and help from The Courier.

Jack Nicholson, a station manager with Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, was given the fire medal by the county’s police.

The Fire Service Good Conduct and Long Service medal was found, along with other stolen property, still in its presentation case with the ribbons that would be worn on the uniform. The only clue Jack had was that it had been inscribed with the name Archibald S Tolmie.

Jack set to work and spent his time trying to get in contact with him, or any surviving relatives of his.

Jack said: ‘I’d tried all the usual fire service roots but with no joy. It is an unusual surname, so I thought it would be worth a try in local papers.’

Jack first contacted The Courier at the end of May when a letter was published appealing for help. He was then put in touch with Ronnie Souden at Campbeltown Fire Station where Archie had served for 28 years and ended his career as station officer.

Archie’s last known address was at 20 Crosshill Avenue, Campbeltown, which led Jack to the area.

He was put in touch with Archie’s son Peter and the medal was reunited with the family. Watch commander Ronnie Souden of Campbeltown Fire Station presented Peter Tolmie with his father’s Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.