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A guest on Antiques Roadshow made history after being told his historic medal was worth more than a house – leaving its owners visibly stunned.
The beloved BBC show broadcast from Portchester Castle with Fiona Bruce at the helm as more members of the public brought their most prized possessions to be valued.
Viewers watched as expert Mark Smith met a couple who brought along a grandfather’s accolades from the early 1900s.
Just moments into the segment, Mark told the pair it was ‘unique moment’ on the show as they had never had a Victoria Cross feature.
He said it is ‘highest award for gallantry this country has’ as he probed who its original owner was.
The man then explained: ‘This was my wife’s grandfather. Unfortunately, I wasn’t privileged enough to meet him but my wife knew him when she was a young child.’
A guest on Antiques Roadshow made history after being told his historic medal was worth more than a house as its owners were left visibly stunned
Viewers watched as expert Mark Smith met a couple who brought along a grandfather’s accolades from the early 1900s
Just moments into the segment, Mark told the pair it was ‘unique moment’ on the show as they had never had a Victoria Cross feature
Sadly, her grandfather – Sergeant James Ockendon – died when she was just five years of age, as she admitted her memories of him are very vague but said she was proud of what he achieved.
Bridging the gap, Mark then revealed: ‘Well, he did this during the Battle of Passchendaele and when we think about the First World War and we see those photos of those men in those mud-filled trenches, this is where he was.’
He then read out the citation which detailed the bravery and heroism Ockendon demonstrated, saying: ‘In the attack in the morning of October 4, 1917, east of Langemark, Sergeant James Ockendon was acting company sergeant major.
‘Noticing the right platoon held up by an enemy machine gun which was causing many casualties, he, with absolute disregard for his personal safety, immediately rushed the gun, killed two of the gunners and followed and killed the third, who was making his escape across no man’s land.
‘He then led a party to an attack on a trench. This party was heavily fired on as it advanced.’
Mark continued by revealing the sergeant opened fire and forced 16 enemies to surrender.
The citation concluded: ‘During the remainder of the day, Sergeant Ockendon displayed the greatest gallantry.’
Visibly stunned by his achievements, Mark asked the couple if James was wounded.
Mark explained how the couple’s grandfather came to have the medal and revealed it is ‘highest award for gallantry this country has’
Sergeant James Ockendon died when the woman was just five years of age, as she admitted her memories of him are very vague but said she was proud of what he achieved
Mark revealed it could fetch between £250,000 and £300,000 as the man joked he needed a ‘stiff cup of coffee’
The guest replied: ‘Yeah, evidently, he got shot in the head.
‘He was gassed not long before the end of the war and then he was medically discharged with honour from the army.’
When it came to the valuation, the couple admitted they had no idea how much the collection would be worth, firmly saying it will ‘never leave the family’.
Mark then revealed it could fetch between £250,000 and £300,000 as the man joked he needed a ‘stiff cup of coffee’.
Before they left, the couple confirmed the medals would be returning to the bank where they have been safely preserved.
Antiques Roadshow airs on BBC One and is available to stream on iPlayer.
