Burglary victim makes emotional appeal for the return of grandfather's medals

A BURGLAR who stole �8,000 worth of medals and jewellery from a Honiton home also made off with a duvet and a 1lb block of cheese.

Detectives at Honiton CID are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen someone walking with a duvet in the Dowell Street area between October 18 and 21.

The missing medals and jewellery are of great sentimental value to their owner, who has made an emotional appeal for the medals, in particular, to be returned.

They are distinctive, meaning they can easily be identified, Detective Sergeant Ian Tyres told the Herald.

Stolen were two First World War Victory and British medals, both inscribed around the rim "A R Hankinson" and "KRRC 9583".

The medals were awarded to the victim's grandfather, who was injured in battle in France.

Also stolen was a three-medal set, awarded to the victim's great aunt, who was a member of the Territorial Nursing Reserve. She had nursed injured soldiers in Leicester and abroad during the First World War. The medals are all marked "Staff Nurse M Hankinson". The set comprises Victory, British and Star medals.

DS Tyres said: "Some jewellery was also stolen, including a sapphire and diamond ring and an unusual silver necklace with a 1947 farthing on it. The image on the farthing is of a wren."

The victim, who does not wish to be named, told the Herald: "I was away when the burglary occurred, because my 90-year-old father had suffered a stroke.

"After the trauma, to come back and find this...

"It's leading up to Remembrance Day, when I often think of my grandfather.

"I don't care about the jewellery, I just want the medals back."

Also stolen were two 10p-sized silver medals - one inscribed "District Messenger and Ticket Company Award of Merit 1906" and the other "1900 Team Race" with "ARH" one the other side.

If you saw someone walking with a duvet in Honiton at around the time of the burglary or if you think you have seen the medals, call Honiton CID on 08452 777444.