Antiques Roadshow guests’ jaws drop at ‘show first’ as heirloom given staggering value

An Antiques Roadshow expert revealed the staggering value of a family heirloom that was making show history.

WARNING: This article contains spoilers from Antiques Roadshow.

In a remarkable episode of the BBC‘s Antiques Roadshow, an expert was left astounded by the historical significance and value of a family treasure.

Filming at Portchester Castle, the Antiques Roadshow aficionado encountered a couple eager to learn the history behind a grandfather’s distinguished military decorations.

Smith declared: “This is a unique moment on the Antiques Roadshow,” revealing his excitement. “In all the years I’ve been on the Roadshow, we have never had a Victoria Cross. The highest award for gallantry this country has. Who was this man?”

The husband recounted: “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.”

His wife added her memories: “I have very vague memories, because I actually was only coming up for my fifth birthday when he passed away. I’m very proud of him, obviously, with what he achieved.”

Smith responded: “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 the citation that detailed the heroic actions of Sergeant Ockendon, which led to him being awarded the Victoria Cross: “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.

“Sergeant Ockendon dashed ahead and called upon the garrison to surrender.

“They, however, continued to fire, and with great boldness, Sergeant Ockendon then opened fire himself.

“Having killed four of the enemy, he forced the remaining 16 to surrender.

“During the remainder of the day, Sergeant Ockendon displayed the greatest gallantry.”

Following the recitation of the commendation, Smith simply declared: “Wow. For that, he is awarded the Victoria Cross. It’s a very humble medal.”

He revealed that Queen Victoria insisted the decoration be crafted from an inexpensive material like bronze, believing it was “about the deed behind the medal”.

Smith continued by highlighting that the soldier also possessed a Military Medal and participated in the initial assault wave during the opening day of the Gallipoli offensive.

When questioned about injuries sustained, the visitor revealed: “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.

“And led a quiet life until the Second World War, then he joined the Home Guard,” which secured him a Defence Medal. Nearing the segment’s climax, Smith explained: “As we mentioned, Queen Victoria, she didn’t want it to be worth money. They do have a value.

“Do you have any idea what they might be worth?”

“Not really. It’s something that will never leave the family”, the gentleman replied before the expert revealed the medals carried an eye-watering valuation of £250,000 to £300,000.

The pair’s faces dropped in astonishment before bursting into giggles, with her gasping: “Golly.

“I didn’t think it would be that much”, the gentleman admitted whilst Smith confirmed: “Easily.”

The visitor quipped: “I need a stiff cup of coffee.”

His spouse added: “I’m a bit like my husband – shocked. I didn’t expect that at all.”

The husband confirmed he’d be taking the medals straight back to the bank’s safety deposit box where they’d been stored.

“I think that’s probably wise. That day, he deserved that,” Smith concluded.

Antiques Roadshow is available to watch on BBC One and BBC iPlayer.