War veteran, 90, left devastated after his medals are stolen by heartless burglars

NNP

Ernie Tull has been left devastated after his service medals were stolen

Ernie Tull, 90, a former standard bearer for the Royal British Legion parades left the five medals safely in a dish at his home before setting off to dry cleaners.

But while he was out burglars broke into his house and took them.

Mr Tull had served in the Royal Artillery during the Second World War and then spent 32 years with the Army Fire Brigade including tours of duty in Northern Ireland at the height of The Troubles.

• 

  World War II hero gets the funeral he deserves as hundreds turn out

• 

  War veteran’s harrowing confession over jailed soldier on LBC

He had been awarded a General Service Medal for Palestine, the 1939-1945 Medal, a 1939-1945 Defence Medal, a General Service Medal Northern Ireland and a Fire Service Medal. 

He wore them proudly on his jacket every year at the at Remembrance Day Parade in his home town of Leyburn, North Yorkshire.

The heartbroken former soldier said: “I’d put the medals in a dish while I had my jacket dry-cleaned for the parade and although I usually lock my door this time I didn’t.

“I went for a walk and noticed they’d gone when I got back.”

NNP

Mr Tull was out when burglars broke into his house and took them

Relative John Lockley, said the old soldier was but was keeping a brave face but was “very upset” by the burglary.

It is very sad – it is all about the personal experience and memories attached to them

Relative John Lockley

He added: “I am trying to find replicas but the actual medals are irreplaceable.”

Colin Nesbitt, branch chairman of the Leyburn Royal British Legion, said: “Mr Tull always attends our parades and was a standard bearer for many years, when he would proudly wear his medals.

NNP

He wore them proudly on his jacket every year at the at Remembrance Day Parade

“It is very sad. It is all about the personal experience and memories attached to them.”

Inspector Mark Gee from North Yorkshire Police said: “Crimes like this are extremely upsetting for victims and, quite rightly, have appalled the community. 

“These medals have been taken in an act of pure selfishness. I’d like to appeal for the public’s help in catching the deplorable individual who took them.”