TEN valuable World War 2 medals awarded to naval officer Lieutenant George David Lord were stolen in a burglary at an East London home last week.Among the medals taken by the thieves was a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) awarded to Lord by former King George VI in July 1945 for courage, skill and devotion.
The award followed combat operations in which Lord was involved at sea on the Akaran Coast while fighting for the allies against the Japanese between 1944 and March 1945.
Other items stolen in the incident included 10 Kruger Rands valued at R150000, four cellphones and a pistol belonging to Lord’s son, George.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday regarding the loss, Lord Junior said he would pay a reward of R10000 to anyone who could return the items, especially his father’s war medals and stars.
“The items are of great sentimental value to me and my family. The family will be very happy to have the articles back which we kept in remembrance of my father,” said Lord.
“This is something to touch, not many people can say King George has bestowed something to their father.”
Lord said his father died in East London eight years ago, aged 88.
The break-in occurred at his Vincent home last Thursday morning while he was out shopping.
There was no one else home at the time and the suspects jumped into his yard and gained entry through a small window.
“On my return I found all my important documentation scattered around the floor, the safe in which I kept my pistol was removed from the wall and was on the ground with my pistol missing,” he said.
Police were called to the scene and took fingerprints.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the incident.
“We have registered a case of burglary at a residential area. The investigating officer is busy following up leads although we have not arrested anyone yet in connection with the crime,” Mbi said.
Speaking about the reward Lord said: “I will deposit R10000 into the bank account of the person who brings me back my father’s medals on the spot.
“I don’t think the had an idea what they were stealing.”
Cape Town-based antique collector Rob Dibley, who has 30 years’ experience in the business, said the DSC could sell to a collector for between R80000 and R100000.
“It is that big of an award – you only get it when you have really done something brave,” he said.
lAnyone with information on the medals can call Lord on (043) 726-7893 or his daughter Jacki Cockroft on (043) 722-6650. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
Valuable World War 2 medals stolen
Among the medals taken by the thieves was a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC) awarded to Lord by former King George VI in July 1945 for courage, skill and devotion.
The award followed combat operations in which Lord was involved at sea on the Akaran Coast while fighting for the allies against the Japanese between 1944 and March 1945.
Other items stolen in the incident included 10 Kruger Rands valued at R150000, four cellphones and a pistol belonging to Lord’s son, George.
Speaking to the Daily Dispatch yesterday regarding the loss, Lord Junior said he would pay a reward of R10000 to anyone who could return the items, especially his father’s war medals and stars.
“The items are of great sentimental value to me and my family. The family will be very happy to have the articles back which we kept in remembrance of my father,” said Lord.
“This is something to touch, not many people can say King George has bestowed something to their father.”
Lord said his father died in East London eight years ago, aged 88.
The break-in occurred at his Vincent home last Thursday morning while he was out shopping.
There was no one else home at the time and the suspects jumped into his yard and gained entry through a small window.
“On my return I found all my important documentation scattered around the floor, the safe in which I kept my pistol was removed from the wall and was on the ground with my pistol missing,” he said.
Police were called to the scene and took fingerprints.
Cambridge police spokesman Captain Mluleki Mbi confirmed the incident.
“We have registered a case of burglary at a residential area. The investigating officer is busy following up leads although we have not arrested anyone yet in connection with the crime,” Mbi said.
Speaking about the reward Lord said: “I will deposit R10000 into the bank account of the person who brings me back my father’s medals on the spot.
“I don’t think the had an idea what they were stealing.”
Cape Town-based antique collector Rob Dibley, who has 30 years’ experience in the business, said the DSC could sell to a collector for between R80000 and R100000.
“It is that big of an award – you only get it when you have really done something brave,” he said.
lAnyone with information on the medals can call Lord on (043) 726-7893 or his daughter Jacki Cockroft on (043) 722-6650. — zwangam@dispatch.co.za
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