http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/tayside_and_central/8370493.stm
By: DaveF68 - 23rd November 2009 at 22:44
I wouldn’t have thought that something that was nominally added to the estate of a deceased person post-mortem would attract the kind of duty you suggest – although I could be wrong! I don’t even know if it can legally be added to that estate, either. We don’t know the intricacies/legalities of how this VC was “added” to the Chris John Collection but I would strongly suspect that anyone making such an investment would take steps to ensure that said investment was protected from the ever grasping taxman!
Was thinking more of Mr Reid’s estate.
I used to know someone who was a near neighbour of Mr Reid, always spoke highly of him.
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd November 2009 at 15:10
I wouldn’t have thought that something that was nominally added to the estate of a deceased person post-mortem would attract the kind of duty you suggest – although I could be wrong! I don’t even know if it can legally be added to that estate, either. We don’t know the intricacies/legalities of how this VC was “added” to the Chris John Collection but I would strongly suspect that anyone making such an investment would take steps to ensure that said investment was protected from the ever grasping taxman!
By: DaveF68 - 23rd November 2009 at 15:06
I wonder if that is now liable for inheritance tax or Capital Gains (or both – would a medal be included in valuation of an estate?)
It’s interesting that you can sell a VC but not the US Medal of Honor.
By: Arabella-Cox - 23rd November 2009 at 07:34
This must be one of the first recently-sold VC’s not bought by Lord Ashcroft. Possibly he has other things on his mind right now?
Interestingly, I gather the medal was bought by the sister of the late Chris John, a big medal collector from South Wales who died suddenly and at a young age last year. He had always wanted a VC in his collection, and his sister has now added one to the collection.
As to VC’s and the like, I always recall talking to the son and widow of James Nicolson VC about the sale of that medal when I was writing for After The Battle. They were very pragmatic and realistic about it, saying they were only temporary custodians of a piece of metal. They felt it was the honour that mattered, and that nodody could take away the VC title to James’ name and the sale of the medal didn’t alter that.
My grandfather had a gallantry decoration in World War 1 and I now own it. Personally, I would never sell it as it has sentimental associations and my mother wishes it to be handed on to my sons. However, if it were to be lost, stolen or whatever then of course I’d be very sad. But it wouldn’t remove the honour that the medal signified. That is the important thing. Not the piece of metal. Any purchaser merely has a collectable, but they cannot “buy” from the family the honour it represents.
By: JonL - 23rd November 2009 at 07:12
Peter.
I can think of 335,000 reasons. Its a considerable sum of money which may secure his family’s future. The medals are just that, medals. The family had the joy of knowing the man. Their memories are priceless.
I have my Grandfather’s Great War medals. With associated memorabilia and ephemera they may be worth as much as £500. I won’t part with them. But if they were worth a life changing sum of money which would see me live out the rest of my days in comfort, I know what my Grandfather would want me to do.
Regards,
kev35
Wot he said……
By: piston power! - 22nd November 2009 at 12:27
Ho dear i have upset some on here never mind. lol……………………
By: spitfireman - 22nd November 2009 at 12:11
What a good idea! Then you could at last afford a desk made from wreckage of a Lancaster!:diablo::diablo::diablo:
😀
By: Arabella-Cox - 21st November 2009 at 18:30
Best dig out my grandads medals.
What a good idea! Then you could at last afford a desk made from wreckage of a Lancaster!:diablo::diablo::diablo:
By: kev35 - 21st November 2009 at 14:56
Peter.
I can think of 335,000 reasons. Its a considerable sum of money which may secure his family’s future. The medals are just that, medals. The family had the joy of knowing the man. Their memories are priceless.
I have my Grandfather’s Great War medals. With associated memorabilia and ephemera they may be worth as much as £500. I won’t part with them. But if they were worth a life changing sum of money which would see me live out the rest of my days in comfort, I know what my Grandfather would want me to do.
Regards,
kev35
By: piston power! - 21st November 2009 at 14:34
Best dig out my grandads medals.
By: Peter - 21st November 2009 at 14:34
Having had the honour of meeting Bill in Toronto at the British show and at CWH when upon seeing us in the hangar, he walked away from the Brass to come over and meet up for a chat once again! A gentleman if there ever was one.
To see his Medal sold is very sad. Wonder why it was not retained by the family?
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November 21, 2009 at 2:10 pm