By ANEEKA SIMONIS
WAR medals representing two generations of military service were robbed from a Cora Lynn man who is begging for their safe return.
The medals – highlighting his ailing father and deceased grandfather’s service in the Royal Air Force and navy, respectively – were taken in broad daylight along with a tin of foreign coins collected over decades.
And it appeared to be a targeted hit.
Victim James North lives in a mobile home on the Murray Road, Cora Lynn farm property.
When he returned from a day working at the market on Sunday 24 April, he found it was only his home that had been ransacked – with no hint of a break-in at the larger home on the property.
He walked in to find his caravan completely ransacked.
Five English service medals including his father’s General Service Medal with Malaya clasps, Africa General Service Medal with Kenyan clasps and RAF Long Service and Good Conduct Medal were heartlessly robbed.
His grandfather’s Naval General Service Medal and Naval Long Service and Good Conduct Medal were also taken in the senseless haul.
Mr North said his 88-year-old father, from Berwick, gave him the medals as he took a turn in health about a year ago.
“I didn’t want to tell my dad what happened, but I knew he would find out sooner or later,” Mr North said.
“He is not happy about it.”
The burglars are thought to have forced the caravan’s sliding door before ransacking the man’s property between 4.30am and 3pm on Sunday 24 April.
Mr North is pleading for the safe return of his family memorabilia.
“It’s part of my family’s history. My grandfather is gone and I don’t know how long my father will be here. He gave the medals to me to keep in the family,” he said.
“I am going to keep my fingers crossed in hope.”
Anyone with information about the burglary is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
