Australia’s trusted militaria preservation service since 1970

Recherché / Service Medals Melbourne is your one-stop shop for medals, medal mounting services, military service framing solutions, and more.

Our award-winning military and picture framing specialist Neville Crawford is on site to assist you personally.

Pictured at left – Neville Crawford in the Recherché Framing workshop with the historic Guadalcanal H.Q. Flag of the 1st U.S. Marines. This was subsequently rededicated at the Melbourne Cricket Ground by visiting Vice President, as he was then, Joe Biden. Major security precautions were in place for all attendees.

The Guadalcanal HQ Flag of the 1st Marine Division (USA)

We were honoured to be asked to frame one of the most important American flags from World War II. The flag was restored by Senior Textile Conservator, Skye Firth, from the International Conservation Services, NSW. The Guadalcanal signifies a turning point in the Pacific War.

Frame designed and constructed by Neville Crawford (2x2.5m)

Re-dedication by Vice-President Joe Biden, 2016

Conservation techniques for quality militaria preservation

Wear or display your medal or memorabilia with pride by preserving their condition through our mounting services. In principle, our technique follows the same process that the Australian War Memorial and the Department of Defence uses, which is:

Step 1.

Strip old lacquer and grime

Step 2.

Clean minimally to preserve the integrity of the medal. Over-cleaning removes metal and detailing.

Step 3.

Wash in methylated spirits to remove any residual oils.

Step 4.

Coat in Incralac to provide a protective coating.

From the founding couple behind Recherché / Service Medals Melbourne

When we were preparing specialty picture framing for family and military histories, we had a need to include medal group(s) within the frame.

Naturally much research followed to enable correct mounting and inclusion in these framed displays. An avid interest and exploration of all available resources became frequent bedtime reading, as background to further discussion and technical experimentation.

Now, we can help anyone, or any organisation, to proudly display their medals, memorabilia and historic photographs all combined in an individual and unique way. This may be in one frame or more.

Neville will also tell you if it is a good idea to display a facsimile rather than use an original document.

Testimonials

Dr Robert Webster OAM, State President RSL VIC

“Neville is a leader in his field and treats the medals of those who have served with respect and dignity.”

Cited from 'The Age' newspaper published 24 April 2023

Jan and Stan Jones and Family, Melbourne VIC

"Many thanks to Neville and Elwyn for the amazing framed digitized photo of my Dad and his war medals and RSL badge. It is truly a magnificent framed presentation of my Dad's war history. Thanks for your dedication in researching and investigating his war records and also in obtaining his two new medals of which he was entitled. Many, many thanks for this beautiful framed photo and war medals."

Lyn Fogarty, Melbourne VIC

"What you see here, you do not see elsewhere. Neville has an artistic side and flair for what he frames."

Kris Taylor

“Very helpful and informative on the phone. I will most definitely be seeking their assistance for medal replacements and framing.”

Service Medals Melbourne Facebook Review , 16 April 2018

Paul N, Moorabbin VIC

"I met Neville years ago and remained indelibly impressed not only by his professional ability but also by his willingness to tackle the difficult and unusual"

Bryan Swain

“Very easy to deal with made our ANZAC Day that much more special for our sons and grandfather.”

Service Medals Melbourne Facebook Review, 30 April 2016

Deirdre Hassed, Calligrapher

"Thank you for the photographs. Neville is a master of presenting these historical memorabilia really beautifully. Your client looks absolutely delighted. Congratulations to Neville on another superb framing job!"

8 December 2023

Dr Warwick A. Hutchinson, Chiropractic Plus, Watsonia VIC

"I would like to thank Recherché for the superb completion of framing the posters ... I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the finished product ... I must also commend you for your expertise and manner on the phone, which was the original reason we chose you from many others."