Man devastated by theft of his father's wartime medals (From Evesham Journal)

Man devastated by theft of his father's wartime medals

8:30pm Friday 17th August 2012 in News By Sarah Taylor

A SOLDIER’S son who inherited his father’s war medals has spoken of his loss after burglars stole them. Thieves broke into the Evesham home of David Palmer snatching six “irreplaceable” medals, among other items. The medals were given to Mr Palmer’s late father, Alfred, who fought with the Worcestershire Regiment. They were displayed in a glass case in his dining room. They included a Military Medal, a Palestine Campaign Medal, a 1939 to 1945 War Medal, a 1935 to 1945 Star, a France and Germany Star and a Defence Medal. Mr Palmer, aged 63, said: “We came home and I opened the door and it banged against the dining room door and I knew something was wrong. When I walked into the kitchen I noticed the smashed glass of the window. Straight away we noticed my dad’s medals were missing. “They also took my grandfather’s gold pocket watch, which he was awarded for long service with the Birmingham Small Arms company and a lot of my wife’s jewellery.” It is thought the burglary took place between 11.40am and 1.20pm on Thursday, August 2, while Mr Palmer and his wife were shopping. “It has made me feel ill and not want to leave the house,” he said. “It was extremely upsetting because the medals would have been passed down as family heirlooms. “They are irreplaceable, and remind me of my father.”