Medal Detector

By Melissa Meehan
A SIEGE of Tobruk medal was one of six medals stolen from a Springvale home last week.
The uncommon medal was taken from the Princes Highway home of an 87-year-old World War Two (WW2) veteran Keith Wallace, along with electrical goods and jewellery.
The great-grandfather said he was very upset that the medals were stolen, particularly as they had no real value.
I didnt win them, he said.
But I was happy to receive them when I returned home.
His grand-daughter Shelly said the family just wanted the medals back, and would not lay charges when they were returned.
They were part of the history of our family, she said.
We feel violated.
The Siege of Tobruk was a lengthy confrontation between Axis and Allied forces that lasted 240 days in the Middle East, and left 3,009 Australian troops killed or wounded, and 941 taken prisoner.
Dandenong Detective Senior Constable Stuart Freeman said the medals were stolen after a window of the house was forced open between 9am and 12.30pm.
He said the house was also ransacked.
There is a lot of sentimental value with the medals, Det Freeman said.
The Digger served twice during the war, in both the Africa and Pacific campaigns.
Dandenong RSL Aged Care and Community co-ordinator John Filmer said it was disappointing that the medals had been stolen, and called for them to be returned.
Every medal is marked, so it is very hard to get rid of the medals legitimately, he said.
Anyone with information is asked to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or Dandenong CIU.