Ipswich welcomes Australian who returned war hero's medals

On Saturday, Keith Stafford and his wife, Mandy, were busy taking Jason Berryman on a whistlestop tour of Ipswich – but not the places you might expect your typical tourist to visit.

Mr Berryman and his wife, Angie, had arrived in our town for a very special purpose.

Having served in Bosnia in the 1990s, Mr Berryman has a keen interest in war, and collects keepsakes and memorabilia relating to military history.

This was how he came by several items belonging to Private Samuel Harvey VC, which were sold in a house clearance during the 1960s; Private Harvey’s Last Will and Testament, French postcards he had sent to his mother (“Dear Mum, I made it”), and eight miniature medals, which showed every honour he had ever received.

Private Harvey led a hard life, but his courage never failed him. Born in 1881, he grew up in Vernon Street, and often found himself in trouble.

When the First World War was declared, Private Harvey signed up – and his bravery was soon put to the test.

During a battle known as the Big Push, ammunition was running perilously low. A Commanding Officer asked his men to volunteer to fetch more grenades.

Private Harvey stepped forward, and was tasked with retrieving large, bulky wooden boxes, each containing 30 Mills Bombs, and bringing them to the battlefront.

Making his way back through the trenches, teeming with the bodies of his fellow soldiers, the journey was long and arduous.

So, Private Harvey threw caution to the wind, and made the decision to run over open ground, exposing himself to extreme danger at every turn.

It took him 13 hours, but at long last, the grenades were safely delivered. Private Harvey took a bullet to the head in the process, but miraculously lived to tell the tale.

His valour was recognised with a Victoria Cross, presented to him by King George V. As legend has it, Private Harvey turned to Queen Mary as she stood beside the King, winked, and said cheekily, “Mine’s a pint!”

Private Samuel Harvey is awarded his Victoria Cross by the King George V. Legend has it that Private Harvey turned to Queen Mary as she stood beside the King, winked, and said cheekily, “Mine’s a pint!” (Image: Keith Stafford) An illustration of Private Harvey's daring mission: At the Big Push, Private Harvey threw caution to the wind and ran over open ground, exposing himself to extreme danger at every turn. (Image: Keith Stafford) An illustration and depiction of Private Harvey's bravery in an edition of The War Budget, from December 1915. (Image: Keith Stafford) The then-Evening Star tries to make sense of the mystery as to what became of Private Harvey's medals. (Image: Keith Stafford) Samuel Harvey in his later years, with his sister, Gladys Stafford, standing to the left. (Image: Keith Stafford)

Life was difficult for Private Harvey in the years to come. He became heavily dependent on alcohol and could often be found sleeping rough on the steps of the Town Hall during the 1950s. He died in 1960, aged 79.

Mr Berryman learned that in Private Harvey’s hometown of Ipswich, 9,000 miles and an ocean away, the Briarbank Brewing Company had named an ale in his honour.

He contacted the brewery, and requested to purchase a beer label to add to his collection – and was stunned when the company told him that Private Harvey had family still living in Ipswich.

The brewery put Mr Berryman in touch with Keith Stafford. Mr Stafford had grown up hearing stories of his brave Uncle Sam, and is incredibly proud of his legacy.

The miniature medals which Jason Berryman returned to Ipswich. (Image: Newsquest) Private Sam's nephew, Keith Stafford (left) delightedly receives the miniature medals belonging to his uncle, which Jason Berryman (right) has kindly returned to him. Image: Mark Brennan (Image: Mark Brennan) Front row L0R: Mandy and Keith Stafford, Jason and Angie Berryman. On Saturday, Keith and Mandy welcomed the Berrymans, as well as their friends, family and those who have been touched by Private Sam's story for a celebration at the Briarbank Brewery. Image: Mark Brennan (Image: Mark Brennan)

Although he had paid for the medals fairly, Mr Berryman didn’t think twice about sending them back to England, to be reunited with Mr Stafford.

This weekend, the two men were finally able to meet in person for the first time.

“I have medals belonging to my father and my grandfather, and I know how special they are to families,” said Mr Berryman. “The medals should be home, here in England. They shouldn’t be in Australia.”

On Saturday, friends, family, and all who have had a hand in the story gathered together at the Briarbank Bar in Fore Street.

Several pints were raised in Private Harvey’s honour, and Mr Stafford presented Mr Berryman with a small glass plaque, to thank him for his kindness.

The inscription reads: “Jason believed wholeheartedly ‘it was the right thing to do’ and is a man ‘who didn’t have to give – but gave anyway’.

“Things like this put your faith back in human nature, and what a proper gentleman is,” said Mr Stafford.

After visiting the steps where Private Harvey so often slept, and his childhood home of 8 Vernon Street, all that remained was for the Staffords and the Berrymans to pay their respects at the commemorative headstone laid in his honour at Ipswich Cemetery.