Tribunal says give back medals

The defence honours and awards tribunal says medals forfeited by WWII veterans for misconduct should be given back to them or gifted to their families.

It says it can't overturn original decisions to withhold or forfeit medals but the medals can be returned to the veterans or family members of those no longer living.

The government is considering the tribunal report.

The review was prompted by late veterans John and Archibald Boyes who fought at Tobruk but managed to accumulate 45 military offences, with authorities refusing to award them the campaign medals proudly worn by other WWII veterans.