BARGAIN HUNT presenter Christina Trevanion broke down in tears during an episode of the show which saw her learn the truth about her great grandad’s military history.
During Wednesday’s episode of Bargain Hunt, which was a repeat from 2021, Christina, 42, visited militaria expert Steve Nuwar in Leominster, Herefordshire, to learn more about her “war hero” great grandfather Gerald Arthur Stacey.
Setting the scene for viewers, the Bargain Hunt host said: “I’ve brought along my great-grandfather’s medals.
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Steve, who has spent a significant amount of time examining the medals, quickly told Christina, “I don’t think he’s just a family hero, Christina. I think he’s someone really significant.”
He explained what he’d learned, noting that Gerald served under the Second Battalion London Regiment of the Royal Fusiliers.
“He reaches the rank of Major, but he’s actually second in command of that battalion,” Steve added.
He went on to explain that Gerald was awarded a Distinguished Service Order medal, an award for officers conferred by King George V and the Legion D’Honneur, the highest order of merit conferred by the President of France created by Napoleon.
“To have both of these and the fact you’ve kept them in the family is fantastic,” Steve explained.
To which Christina replied: “They were very, very loved by my granny, which is why his death penny is worn away.”
But it turns out her great-grandfather never received some of his World War One medals when he was alive because of an administrative error.
Christina looked devastated to hear he was never awarded the 14/15 he deserved for being injured during his service in July 1915 because it wasn’t issued automatically.
Gerald was also owed the Mentioned in Despatch Oakleaf, which would have made him a three-times decorated soldier. However, he was killed in 1916.
“I feel like he should have had these. He earned those,” Steve explained.
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Christina started to get emotional as she took in this information.
“I always remembered talking to granny about it because when he was killed in 1916, he left a very loving wife and four children,” she said, before breaking down in tears.
“Oh, I’m going to cry. I can’t cry! Pull yourself together,” she said to herself.
The historian also discovered that her granny, Gerald’s daughter Molly, lived until she was 109 - making her one of the top 25 longest-living people in the UK.
“She was an incredible, incredible woman,” Christina gushed.
“That’s magnificent, the fact that you’ve retained your great grandad’s, her dad’s medals. The story will always be there and his sacrifice will always be recognised,” Steve praised.
As Christina reflected on everything she’d uncovered, she concluded: “It’s been a very emotional journey.”
