TOPIC:

There was a very sad story in the Sheffield Star on 6 Mar 2013 reporting a burglary in which some medals had been stolen. The report said:

A HEARTBROKEN burglary victim is appealing for help to recover his late father’s prized collection of war medals.

Keith Whitehead, aged 60, was left devastated after thieves ransacked his Sheffield home and made off with 200 medals last week.

A safe which guarded the prized haul was ripped from the wall and emptied during the raid.

The collection, which belonged to his dad Alan Whitehead, dated back to the 1700s and included a medal from the Zulu war.

For Keith, of Toll Bar Road, Gleadless, the stolen goods have huge sentimental value.

He has many fond childhood memories of his father scouting for additions at fairs and sales across the country.

And as a 10-year-old boy he was pictured in The Star with his father for a feature about the collection.

He said: “These medals are irreplaceable. It’s not just them but the paperwork that goes with them, saying who they were awarded to and what war they fought in.

“They are pieces of history and whoever took them is probably going to melt them down or sell them for a £1 each at the nearest pub.

“It’s very distressing knowing someone has been in your house and done this.

“My dad even started up a club and gave talks and did slideshows. He died 10 years ago and I thought they’d be okay in my safe. I was planning on sorting through them after I retired.”

South Yorkshire Police have asked the public to lookout for anyone selling the medals, which were taken along with money, jewellery and electrical equipment.

A safe would potentially be a good place to store items such as these but not in this case.

I hope a list of the 200 medals is published at some point so that collectors can be on the lookout for any of the items.

A sad story.
David

David, indeed a sad story.
It is always a worry of mine if I ever lost my collection, I try not to advertise my hobby too much to less trusted individuals.

Paul

Paul,

I think that is a wise idea. Its good to share but with the right people.

I did read one article from the 90s which said that stolen war medals can often be melted down for silver because the thieves know they cannot be sold on. I think that is ever worse than their loss.

David

David

"I did read one article from the 90s which said that stolen war medals can often be melted down for silver because the thieves know they cannot be sold on. I think that is ever worse than their loss."

That does make you wonder how many have been lost sadly forever

Paul

David, Paul......

It is very sad when you read about the loss of a collection.....

My insurance company demands a safe and I was lucky enough to pick up an office safe from a jeweler that was going out of business.....

Also they demand full and accurate records and photographs.....

Mike