'Sentimental value' medals stolen from ex-serviceman
A FORMER Navy serviceman has been left 'absolutely gutted' after burglars broke into his home and stole war medals belonging to him and his father.
Christopher Armstrong was out visiting a friend when thieves smashed their way into his Newton Road house in Torquay and rifled through his precious possessions.
The 70-year-old retired gas company owner and former engine room artificer, who served on the aircraft carrier HMS Victorious and saw action in Borneo, said the intruders must have known he would be out when they targeted his home.
Mr Armstrong, a widower, said seven of his father's Second World War medals and two of his own, along with his wife's wedding ring and an engraved Omega watch from the 60s, were stolen from his home.
Other stolen items include Mr Armstrong's passport, a building society cheque book and even his council tax payment form.
He said: "I am absolutely gutted. They must have known I would be out.
"They knew they could make as much noise as they wanted because they smashed four locks.
"The amount of force required for that means they would have needed tools to do the job.
"They went through the house very carefully and looked for anything small they could take. It looks like identity theft to me.
"I think they knew exactly what they were doing."
Mr Armstrong said he could not place a cash value on the loss but insisted the sentimental loss was impossible to measure.
He added: "I'm most annoyed with them stealing my wife's wedding ring.
"I don't know how much the medals were worth, but they belonged to my father from his time in the 13/18 Royal Hussars 9th Tanks during the Second World War.
"It was something very personal and very special to me."
Mr Armstrong, who after leaving the Navy ran his own gas company providing gas equipment to schools in Devon, said the medals he received were engraved with the words ERA C. R. Armstrong.
The 1960s Omega watch was also engraved with his name and initials while his father's medals included African designs to commemorate the North African campaign in 1942.
DS Andy James, from Torquay's burglary team, who is investigating the November 20 incident, said an Olympus digital camera and a Seiko watch were also among the stolen items.
He said: "We are appealing for anyone who may have seen anything suspicious in Newton Road between 9am and 5pm on the day to come forward."
He asked anyone being offered Second World War medals should contact police on 01803 841589 or 08452 777 444 quoting reference number FT/08/9753.
4 Comments
by emil, torbay
Friday, December 05 2008, 9:22AM
“i've had stuff stolen rom my house before but you have to get over it. Expecting sympathy is not realistic.”
by Sam, Torquay
Thursday, December 04 2008, 12:50PM
“I bet this was the same low life who broke into my house 6 weeks ago. They stole several pieces of jewellery that were very precious to me, including my grandmother's engagement ring. I really hope you get your possessions back Mr Armstrong and that whoever did this pays for their crimes.”
by JB, Paignton
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 2:38PM
“All service personnel know the value that medals have, we don't get city bonuses or company share options. If the perpetrator reads this article then do the decent thing and return Mr Armstrongs and his Fathers hard earned military decorations.”
by Louise, Teignmouth
Wednesday, December 03 2008, 10:56AM
“Absolutely disgusting. When I hear things like this it makes me so angry. How can these low life thieves sleep at night - Its sickening to think that they probably have zero consience and will sleep a whole lot better than this poor bloke who not only will feel completely violated and unsafe in his own home from now on but has to suffer the loss of articles very dear to him as well as the inconvenience of replacing other things. I hope they throw away the key.”