Medal

This gold medal, or 'fob pendant', was presented to James Gordon Campbell by his friends in Houipapa as a welcome-home present after his safe return from World War I (also known as the Great War).

James Campbell was a farmer from Houipapa, a locality about 10 kilometres from Owaka in the Catlins area of South Otago. He sailed from New Zealand with the New Zealand Expeditionary Force's 38th Reinforcements on 5 June 1918.

Designed and made locally
The medal was designed and made by W J Wesney, a jeweller who had premises in Otautau and Riverton in Southland. As the Riverton newspaper the Western Star reported on 8 September 1916:

'Mr W.J. Wesney ... has designed a most appropriate and very handsome gold medal to the order of the Otautau Patriotic Committee. These are to be presented to all returned soldiers who at the time of enlistment had been resident 12 months in Otautau, and to the parents of those who have died in the service of their country. The medal can be worn on the watch-chain or breast as desired. On the obverse there are crossed rifles surmounting a crown, beneath which is the monogram NZ in bold letters ornamented at the base with two fern leaves. On the reverse is the name and particulars of the recipient ... Mr Wesney has registered the design so that it cannot be copied, and any [patriotic] committees wishing information should correspond with him.'