Goodwill seeking owners of Second World War medals and photos

Goodwill Alberta is hoping the community can identify the ownerof a number of Second World War-era medals and photographs after a recent donation to a Calgary store.

In a post to the non-profit's social media channels on Friday, Goodwill said a donor had dropped off the collection at its location on 52nd Street N.E.

Doug Roxburghwith Goodwill Alberta said after discovering the items, employees decided theyhad too much sentimental and historical value to put them up for sale.

"We get thousands of items every day from right across the province, and we recognize when something is of significant value," Roxburgh said. "That means more to a family member. That means more to a historical society than it does for any other reason. That's the main reason why we want to get this into the proper hands."

"Please share so we can track the owners down and return these items to their proper home, as we remember those who have sacrificed for our freedom," the post reads.

In its social media post, Goodwill said it had no further information to go on besides the identity of a Sgt. R.W. Finch, the name on the Memorial Cross.

The Memorial Cross is given to the mother or widow of a Canadian soldier who has died on active duty.

A listing is found on the Veterans Affairs Canada website for a Sgt. Robert William Finch, who shares the service number listed on the Memorial Cross donated to Goodwill.

According to the listing, Finch was a part of Fort Garry Horse, a Canadian Army Reserve armoured regiment based out of Winnipeg.

Finch was the son of Robert and Helene Finch and husband to Elizabeth Finch of St. Vital, Man. He died on April 13, 1945.

Goodwill said it wasturning to the public for help to try and locate family members of Finch.

"Obviously we're starting from a person who was killed in action serving our country, protecting our freedoms. That's where we're starting to bring it to today's generation," Roxburgh said. "We've got to find the person that's related to that individual. Someone has to know someone who was related to that person.

"We want them to reach out to us so we can show them these medalsthat quite possibly were donated by accident."