Alan Polaschek

MAY 2013 KEEPING ON 3 Medal man is always busy Awaiting collection is a glass case He was also an international rugby containing a photo of a World War referee and took charge of games as One Special Constable fl anked by a his postings moved him around the silver vesta case, his police whistle, country. and his medals along with service He fi nished his career with fi ve details. years with the Canterbury Regiment His family will now preserve this in Christchurch as a Warrant Offi cer. box of wartime memorabilia and, in “I didn’t want a commission - I didn’t time, hand it on to future generations. want to be found out as an offi cer,” Today it sits in the offi ce-workshop of he says. Alan Polaschek, the man who framed As a civilian, Alan became a warden the collection. for periodic detention offenders Alan, 80, is to medals what Ray before retirement. Columbus is to music. The framed cases are a popular service. However, But what prompted his interest in perhaps more popular is the mounting medals? “I wanted to know about of service medals. the ribbons on men’s chests. I had At this time of the year (from to know what they had to do to get February to Anzac Day) he has never them. So my collection and interest been so busy. In that time this year began in 1959,” he says. Alan Polaschek amidst his impressive collection of military books he mounted more than 100 sets of than the display cases and rows of representative and is matched by “Medals are a history of a man’s medals ready for Anzac Day. His job medals. He is also the author of four his impressive collection of military involvement in military forces. It’s as is to buff up the medals, put on new books on, of course, medals. books. simple as that.” ribbons,and a backing so that they His fi rst was the Complete NZ The early life of Alan is just as varied He is Marshal for the Order of St are ready for wearing on parades. Distinguished Conduct Medal then and interesting as his medal interests. Lazarus in the South Island. He is a He has provided the service for followed the Complete George Cross He was born in Waimate but was Knight of the order that is well known 50 years and has had generals to (25 copies in 1984, the only one now raised and schooled in Nightcaps for its skin clinics around the country. privates through his hands, including gone). Then he produced the NZ where his father was the boot maker. He is a freemason and patron (used VC holders, Charles Upham and and Distinguished Services Order At 15 Alan was working at the Ohai Jack Hinton. and by the end of the year his fourth coalmines and by 16 was working to be chairman) of the Christchurch Alan says that there has been, in book, Crimson to Khaki, military Long underground. At 19 he entered the Antiques and Bottle and Collectables recent years, an upsurge in interest Service Awards of NZ 1886-1933 army under the Compulsory Military Club, the largest in the country. in everything associated with Anzac (with John D Wills). Training scheme. “That club has several New Zealand Day. “It’s very much so among young These types of books (crammed This became his life and his career experts in branches of antiques and people. Children of vets and their with names and service records) take was to span more than 30 years collectables,” Alan says. children are wearing their medals.” time and care. Crimson to Khaki, before he was discharged at 50. Further he is consultant to the He remembers Captain Upham for instance, took 10-15 years of His career ranged from an infantry Canterbury Museum for awards, visiting his Linwood home. “He was research. Alan says the compiling of instructor, to an administrator, then a quiet man, but with decided views. the books has mostly been a hobby. to Malaya as a medical records medals and accoutrements. He seemed very hard to get to talk, The collecting of medals is another clerk, a lecturer in the Army School For all this work Alan perhaps but he had a presence about him.” bow to his medal interest. His of Administration and a chief clerk for deserves a medal. There is more to Alan Polaschek collection, started in 1959, is very three years in Singapore. But which one? He has them all. HELPING YOU FIND DAY CARE, SHOPRIDER RESPITE CARE, A REST HOME “Simply the Best” OR HOSPITAL Special Bupa has care homes in most areas of Christchurch. Tamara Forbes, our Community Liaison Coordinator, can support you in finding day care, respite care, a rest home, hospital or dementia care that best suits your particular needs. Tamara can visit you in your own home, or in a public hospital if required. 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