I can sympathise with your feelings and agree that your idea re their not being 'Owned" is a good one. But while I believe that is a good idea, it is certainly not something that was mooted previously as policy so would have to commence henceforth letting all new medal holders understand it when they are given the medals that they are holding them only in trust.
Personally, I like the idea that the medals, on the death of the winner, are then passed onto another m,edal-winner rather than simply casting new ones so that they acquire great histories and traditions.
I don't feel we can apply this retrospectively.
On a minor note, the argument could easily be advanced that the medals should revert to the British government in this case given their provenance.
> Personally, I like the idea that the medals, on the death of the winner, are then passed onto another m,edal-winner rather than simply casting new ones so that they acquire great histories and traditions.
I think this is a beautiful idea! It's not unlike what the Japanese used to do with Samurai swords.
> On a minor note, the argument could easily be advanced that the medals should revert to the British government in this case given their provenance.
No... to the *Crown*, which is whom Upham served. The NZ Government, as agents of the Crown, have a clear right to claim this Taonga, under such circumstances.