TL,
I had a similar experience when I was a teenager in that my elder sister, with the connivance of my brother in law, insisted on selling family medals and splitting the money three ways with my other sister. I was dead against it and 40 years later I have still not been able to locate them. They were a 1915 Star Trio to my father's brother who was killed on H.M.S. Natal in 1915.
Whenever I am offered items from a family selling their relative's badges or medals, I always ask if they are sure that they want to part with them. The usual reply is that the younger generations are not interested in it and, that they know that it is going to someone who appreciates the items and will look after them.
My feeling is that we are only the temporary custodians of these items and that we have a duty to ensure that they survive for future generations to learn from.
Simon
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