Enliven’s Levin Home for War Veterans will honour former resident John Dalrymple by displaying his Victory medal in the home’s Veteran’s Lounge for visitors to admire.

John, a Rifleman Private in the Canterbury Regiment during World War I and a drover, lived at Levin Home for War Veterans for around four years before he died in 1961.

Australian Margaret Harris discovered his medal among her late aunt’s possessions and contacted the home after learning John had never married and had no descendants.

Manager Jenny Hodgen says the home was delighted to be able to offer the medal a permanent home.

“We’re really passionate about Levin Home for War Veteran’s proud reputation for caring for returned servicemen and servicewomen. These men and women have made such vital and important contributions to New Zealand and it’s wonderful to be able to help highlight that.

“As one of our former residents, John is part of the Levin Home family and we’re so pleased to be able to care for his medal and his memory,” she says.

Jenny notes that the home remains actively engaged with the service community, enjoying contact with Linton Military Camp, the Horowhenua College Services Academy and the TS Tutira Sea Cadets.

The home’s ANZAC Day celebrations are also well-attended by the local community.

“It’s the most important day in our calendar,” says Jenny.

Levin Home administrator Vicky Prouting, who met with Margaret while holidaying in Australia to escort the medal to Levin, says she’s pleased to see the home’s past residents continuing to be honoured.

“It’s been a privilege getting to know John through his war medal. He led such an active life!

“I’m proud to have played a small part in his history bringing the medal back to Levin.”

John’s military service took him half way across the world to Egypt, France and England. As a member of the C Company of the 3^rd Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, he would have taken part in the Battle of Passchendaele in which his Battalion suffered 400 casualties, including 126 men who were killed in action.

The Victory medal now housed at Levin Home for War Veterans recognises John’s service during the First World War.

A brief stint in the Wellington “Guard Company” during the Second World War also entitled John to the 1939-45 War Medal and the New Zealand War Service Medal.

“Where those medals are though is a mystery,” says home manager Jenny Hodgen.

“If anyone knows, please get in touch, we’d love to hear more about John’s amazing story!”

Enliven is the positive ageing services arm of Presbyterian Support Central, offering independent retirement living, rest home, hospital and dementia care, short-term respite and health recovery care and day programmes. 

Levin Home for War Veterans volunteer Stuart Beissel believes he gets as much out of his weekly visits to the home as the residents do.

“I love to talk and I love to listen to people. I find volunteering so rewarding, just listening to the residents here,” he says.

The retired primary school principal began volunteering at the home a few months ago when, after 40 years of teaching, he retired and moved from Taranaki to Levin with his wife.

He says it wasn’t long before he put his name forward at the Volunteer Resource Centre.

“I didn’t really want to volunteer with children – it was time for change after 40 years working with them! Instead, I said I’d like to be involved with older people.”

Levin Home for War Veterans contacted Stuart, who agreed to visit on Thursdays and offer companionship to residents in the hospital wing.

“I liked the idea of working with a rest home,” he says.

“My grandfather was a war veteran, so that was also a nice connection.”

Now Stuart also comes in once a fortnight on Mondays to work with academy students from Horowhenua College taking part in a training programme set up by the home.

“It’s a great system – the students get to learn about dementia, health and ageing, things like that, and the residents enjoy their company. With my background in education, I feel I have something to offer there.”

Levin Home manager Jenny Hodgen says volunteers like Stuart are vital to the home.

“The diverse range of skills volunteers bring makes such a difference to the residents here – some run creative workshops for them, others offer their woodworking skills and still others simply donate their time. We love seeing the way residents respond to their energy.”

The home is currently looking for volunteer piano players to provide some musical entertainment for residents, says Jenny.

“There are three pianos here crying out to be used, so please don’t be shy!”