Treasured war medals stolen from pensioner

A PENSIONER from Upton St Leonards has been left devastated after burglars broke in and stole a collection of war medals from his home.

The 73-year-old was away caring for a blind war veteran friend when the thieves broke in through a window and made off with a set of five medals from the Boer and Great Wars.

The incident happened sometime between 4pm on August 24 and 7.50am on August 25.

There were also other items taken including six miniature medals in a frame, a nickel silver cup, won in 1901 for cage birds owned by the victim's grandfather, and a small-faced mantelpiece clock in an oak surround.

The victim's brother said: "The medals belonged to the husband of my brother's godmother and are very valuable to us.

"The little clock was of no value but of great sentimental value.

"The thief was able to break-in easily that night because my brother had travelled to Brighton earlier in the day to care for his friend, a wartime airborne soldier who had been blinded at Arnhem in September 1944. He makes this trip twice each year so the elderly wife of this brave veteran can spend a few days away with her daughter.

"On hearing news of the break-in, the wife of his friend tried to persuade him to return home so that he could deal with the problem – but, typically, he insisted that she should continue with her holiday."

The victim said: "The items really meant a lot to me. I live on my own and they are part of my life and part of my history. The medals have always been here with me and I really want to get them back."

Two of the stolen medals were from the Boer War, a Queen's South Africa Victoria medal that is silver with an orange and gold ribbon with blue stripes between them.

There were three clasps on the ribbon relating to separate campaigns during the war.

Also, a Kings South Africa medal that is silver with a green, white and orange ribbon. The other three were from First World War – a 1914-1915 star that is gold with a red, white and blue ribbon; a silver British war medal with an orange band in the centre of the blue, white and black striped ribbon; and a gold Victory medal with a rainbow coloured ribbon.

They were mounted side by side in an oak framed display with a glass front.

His brother said: "There just might be a chance that the person responsible for the theft might regret his actions, and return these items to him. Someone might also recognise them at a car boot sale or in a secondhand shop."

Anyone who witnessed the incident or who has information should call police on 0845 090 1234 quoting incident 144 of August 25 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.