Thieves have stolen an ex-RAF Sergeant’s medals from a Remembrance Day window display in Staffordshire.
Staff and customers at the Birchall and Watson Pharmacy, on High Street in Stone, were distraught when they discovered the theft after taking down the display.
Former avionics technician Sean Dixon donated the medals to appear in the display, created by staff member Linda Blackburn, which paid tribute to ex-servicemen and women.
The theft was later noticed by staff in a picture of the display.
The medals were all fixed with wire, meaning cutters would have been used to disconnect them from the shelf.
Sean, 45, a driver for the pharmacy, said: “This is obviously very upsetting for Linda, who put a lot of effort into creating the display.
“I am also disappointed. I received the Air Ops Iraq medal in 1997, and the Long Service and Good Conduct medal in 2000.
“I hoped one day to pass these onto my son.”
The medals featured Mr Dixon’s name, adding personal value to the items.
Token Publishing, who publish Coin News and Medal News magazines, have taken down details of the medals, so that they cannot be sold at any events in future, such as the Britannia Show in London on November 18.
Ms Blackburn, who constructed the display from donated medals, photographs of Armed Forces members and newspapers from the Second World War, said: “It is very concerning to think that people in Stone would do this when it is for such a good cause, and the medals hold so much sentimental value.”
Royal British Legion member Noel Bevans said: “It is a very shameful thing to do, and I can only hope the people who did this will realise how significant the medals are to their owner, and return them.
“Stranger things have happened.”
Anyone with information is asked to contact Staffordshire Police on 101 quoting incident number 243 of 13 November.
Alternatively they can contact independent charity Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.