BBC Antiques Roadshow expert struggles for words as he slaps £300k value on wartime item ‘never had’ on the show before
Mark Smith was gobsmacked as he delivered an incredible valuation of a very special item in a classic episode of the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
Medal and militaria specialist Smith confirmed right away that among the First World War medals he was analysing was one that the show has “never had before”.
In the episode from Portchester, which originally aired in 2022 and is set to be repeated on Sunday evening, Smith appeared visibly stunned as he told the two guests, a husband and wife: “This is a unique moment on the Antiques Roadshow.
“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.”
Glancing at the black and white photograph of a young gentleman, he asked the couple: “Who was this man?”
“This was my wife’s grandfather,” one replied, adding: “Unfortunately, I wasn’t privileged enough to meet him, but my wife knew him when she was a young child.”
The granddaughter of the war hero explained: “I have very vague memories, because I actually was only coming up for my fifth birthday when he actually passed away.”
She continued: “I’m very proud of him, obviously, with what he achieved.”
“Well, he did this during the Battle of Passchendaele,” Smith shared. “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. Do you know what he did?”
“He took charge when he saw that the platoon that he was with was coming under intense machine gun fire; a lot of them got cut down, including the commanding officers,” the husband replied.
“He rushed forward and attacked German machine gun posts.”
Holding a piece of paper, Smith remarked: “Now this does actually deserve to be read. What is known as the citation… So this is what the King would have been told.”
The antiques expert then began to read from the document: “‘In the attack on the morning of October the fourth, 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 Ockenden dashed ahead and called upon the garrison to surrender.’
“‘They, however, continued to fire, and with great boldness, Sergeant Ockenden then opened fire himself, having killed four of the enemy, he forced the remaining 16 to surrender.’
“‘During the remainder of the day, Sergeant Ockenden displayed the greatest gallantry.'” The Antiques Roadshow presenter concluded by explaining: “For that, he was awarded the Victoria Cross.”
Sharing more background on the medals and their modest look, he added: “It’s a very humble medal. Queen Victoria said, ‘It’s not about the medal, it’s about the deed behind the medal. That’s the important thing.’
“And she never wanted it to be worth any money. She wanted it made of a very cheap piece of metal. It’s made of bronze. He also has a Military Medal. So that’s another gallantry award.”
Delving into Ockenden’s further achievements, Smith went on: “And I understand that also was for attacking another machine gun post. He was also at Gallipoli. Not only was he at Gallipoli, but he was in the assault wave on the very first day of the attack up that beach. Was he wounded?”
“Yeah, evidently he got shot in the head,” the guest explained.
“Just shot in the head,” Smith quipped before probing: “What happened to him at the end of the war?”
“He was gassed not long before the end of the war, and then he was medically discharged with honor from the army, and had a quiet life until the Second World War… Then he joined the Home Guard,” the guest laughed.
“And we can see the defense medal here for those who joined the Home Guard in World War Two,” Smith pointed out.
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He then decided to reveal the important truth about the medals, commenting: “As we said, 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?”
The guest admitted: “Not really. It’s something that will never leave the family.”
Seemingly lost for words, Smith simply stated: “£250,000 to £300,000.”
Both guests gasped before the husband confessed: “I didn’t think it would be that much,” before Smith assured the couple: “Easily.”
“I need a stiff cup of coffee,” the guest joked before Ockenden’s granddaughter agreed: “I’m a bit like my husband… Shocked. I didn’t expect that at all.”
Sharing their decision, her husband explained: “We’ll be returning the medals to the bank. We’re keeping them in the safety deposit box there.”
“I think that’s probably wise,” Smith admitted before commenting: “That day, he deserved that.”