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Feb 082013
May 132013
Following on from last year’s theft of medals thieves have struck the D-Day Museum again. Let’s hope that these medals will also be recovered. Story and photo courtesy of the News:
by Ruth Scammell
ruth.scammell@thenews.co.ukPOLICE want help in tracking down Second World War medals stolen from a museum.
The burglary took place at the D-Day museum in Clarence Esplanade between 3pm and 4pm on Thursday, May 2.
The covers of two displays inside the museum were unscrewed, and the medals were stolen. An alarm alerted staff that the theft was taking place. Their whereabouts remain unknown.
The medals are described as: A British Empire Medal hanging from a fabric red ribbon with a thin white stripe down either side. On the front of the medal is a picture of Britannia seated and Vernon Harold Sellwood’s name is engraved along the edge. The medal was awarded to Vernon Harold Sellwood, who was serving as a messenger in the Auxiliary Fire Service during the Second World War. Aged only 15, he received the award for bravery in undertaking the duties of a fireman during the air raid on Portsmouth on the night of 10-11 March 1941.
A set of four Second World War campaign medals were also stolen which include the 1939-1945 Star, the France and Germany Star, the Defence Medal and the War Medal. These medals are unnamed and when stolen were pinned on a piece of card covered with red felt. The medals and ribbons are all in good condition. The set of four medals were to a Normandy veteran, Harry Cripps, who served in the 1st Battalion, Hampshire Regiment and landed on Gold Beach on D-Day.
These medals were awarded to all soldiers who landed in Normandy. Andrew Whitmarsh, D-Day Museum development officer said: ‘These medals are an important part of the D-Day Museum’s displays, and we use them to help tell the story of the wartime events that the museum covers. ‘They are part of the history of the wartime air raids on Portsmouth and the D-Day landings respectively. ‘In the museum they represent not just the two individuals who were awarded the medals, but also the thousands of other men and women who served alongside them in similar roles.’
Police have investigated over the past week, and arrested a suspect, but do not know where the medals are. A 37-year-old man from Portsmouth was arrested on Saturday on suspicion of theft, questioned and bailed until May 22. Anyone with information about the theft or the whereabouts of the medals is asked to contact Portsmouth Central Police Station by phoning 101 or call Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Feb 082013
Feb 052013
The picture gives it away! Chosen by vote of the members at the January meeting Hounds for Heroes is both a local (Petersfield) and a military charity. It should be fairly obvious what they get up to but for the full story click here.
Jan 092013
Dec 162012
Dec 072012
What ever happened in the days before the telephone was almost universal?
How did the Victorian equivalent of our club ever manage to keep the members abreast of what was happening? Continue reading »
Nov 162012
Tank crew statue at Bovington. 5 Individuals doing a job as a team. And I am trying out a couple of tools to make us as individuals better connected. Continue reading »
Nov 072012
I can hardly contain myself – they’ve arrived!
This morning, Wednesday November 7th. two tatty containers in need of a certain amount of tlc arrived on an extensible trailer pulled by Danny Mears’ brand new £160,000 DAF.
Oct 222012
Message received from Nikki Kill (sounds like a Bond Villainess?)
Ok folks….. How about a group trip to the cinema in a few weeks to see the new Bond film and maybe a bite to eat afterwards? Was thinking of the Vue in Eastleigh on the 27th oct or 3rd nov ……. Will ask again at the meeting this month.
The film is called “Skyfall” – Bond’s loyalty to M is tested as her past comes back to haunt her. As MI6 comes under attack, 007 must track down and destroy the threat, no matter how personal the cost.