Lost papers

I am currently researching those men from Lewis who served in the First World War from Australia. One of them survived the ordeal and returned to Australia after being discharged as medically unfit. After the end of the war, he received his King's certificate to say he had served in the Great War. The man involved subsequently moved house, and in the usual clear-up at such a time burned some papers. One of those (gulp) was his King's Certificate. He promptly applied for a replacement - which was sent out to him. Can you imagine what that must have been like for him? I couldn't.