Piece of British military history found in NZ

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A little piece of British military history which turned up in New Zealand has found its way back home.

The 1.5cm iron medal, commemorating the German bombardment of the north-east England town of Hartlepool, was spotted on eBay by the children of history enthusiast John Southcott, the BBC reported.

Mr Southcott, chairman of Heugh Gun Battery museum in Hartlepool, bought it for just 15 pounds (NZD$30.80).

"It found its way from Hartlepool all the way to New Zealand," he said.

"It's important to us because it commemorates bombardment of Hartlepool in 1914 and to find it around the 97th anniversary was an incredible stroke of luck.

"I'd like to think that these particular crosses were cast from some of the shell fragments which littered the streets from the bombardment, but we can't confirm it."

Mr Southcott said the medal would be on display at the museum from January.

"It's a nice little Christmas present for the Battery."

* Were you the person who sold this medal? Email matthew.theunissen@apnz.co.nz