Metro receives almost 2000 items to our lost property every month but recently, a truly remarkable item was handed in.  

The team in lost property had World War II Service Medals handed in at Flinders Street Station in November last year, they are now hoping to reunite them with the owner’s family. 

It has since been confirmed by the Australian War Memorial that they were awarded to a man named Herbert Hepburn, who served in the Australian military from January 1942 to March 1946. 

Hepburn would be turning 122 in April and the only next of kin that could be located by the war memorial was his mother, meaning the team is now at a dead end. 

Flinders Street Senior Station Master Gurbinder Dhillon is hopeful he can return the medals to its rightful owner.  

“I am waiting for the day we can reunite it with its owner. That will be really joyful for us,” he said. 

The team at lost property received more than 14,000 calls and emails in 2025 to reunite owners with their lost items. 

Although Metro occasionally receives objects with deep emotional and historical value like the medals, most lost items are everyday objects such as mobile phones, wallets, headphones and handbags. 

At present, the Flinders Street office is holding almost 1,700 items, including 90 mobile phones, more than 140 handbags and 110 sets of AirPods or headphones. Approximately 30 per cent of lost items were reunited with their owners last year. 

The Metro Trains lost property office is located at Flinders Street Station. The opening hours are Monday to Friday 8am – 5pm. Passengers should direct all lost property queries to lost.found@metrotrains.com.au or call (03) 9610 7512.