War medals stolen in Hyndburn burglary (From Lancashire Telegraph)

War medals stolen in Hyndburn burglary

11:00am Thursday 22nd September 2011 in Church By Sam Chadderton, Reporter

A SON has spoken about his ‘deep distress’ at having his father’s Second World War medals stolen in a break-in.

While Barry and Mary-Anne Hartley were away on holiday, their home in Peel Bank, Church, was ransacked and then set on fire.

A safe was emptied which contained family keepsakes and heirlooms, including Mr Hartley’s father Kenneth’s two Royal Artillery service medals and an Royal Society of Chiropodist award with his name on it.

Mr Hartley said: “My father died in 1972. He served all across Europe and we’ve had these things in the family for decades.

"It’s the sentimental value more than anything.

“We are deeply distressed about it. You can put some items back on the shelf, but not these.

"And the smoke-damage has ruined the whole house.

“It would mean a lot to us to get the medals back.”

Also stolen from the safe were Mrs Hartley’s pieces of family jewellery.

The burglars even spread her grandmother’s ashes on the floor after knocking over an urn.

She said: “It was terrible to get the phone call from the police and the damage done by wrecking the house afterwards was even worse.

“They took anything of value - even the pendulums from the clocks.”

The incident happened on August 29 between midnight and 7.10am. Police have only just released details.

Officers said the burglars poured petrol in various parts of the house and set fire to it.

It has had to be completely re-decorated and re-wired.

A number of pet cats were also in the property at the time and one suffered slight burns.

PC Sean Frodsham said: “This was a particularly nasty incident, not only did the offender or offenders break into this couple’s home, but they further added to their distress by callously setting fire to their property.

“Thankfully the occupants weren’t in the property at the time so nobody was hurt, but as you can image they have been left incredibly upset by what has happened.”

Anybody with any information is asked to call police on 0845 125 3545 or call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.