World War One medals stolen on Armistice Day

(L-R) A World War 1 1914-15 Star, a British War Medal and World War 1 Victory Medal are among the stolen pieces

Military medals belonging to a veteran and his grandfather have been stolen on Armistice Day.

Thames Valley Police said the burglary occurred between 11:30 and 16:00 GMT on Tuesday, when the offenders had smashed a rear window to the house in Broadwell, near Carterton, Oxfordshire, and had stolen "a number of medals of huge sentimental value".

The victim, a man aged in his sixties, was attending a commemorative event at his old school.

Among the pieces are World War One medals, all of which engraved with the service details of the veteran's grandfather, Driver John Ball.

The stolen World War One medals were the 1914-15 Star, the British War Medal, and the Victory Medal.

Many of the victim's miniature and dress service medals were also stolen, including two Jubilee Medals and a Long Service and Good Conduct Medal.

The victim served for 39 years in the Royal Engineers after joining as a boy in 1976.

His own awarded service medals were not taken, as he was wearing them at the Armistice Day event.

The force said that had been "particularly poignant" for him as he and three school friends cycled the Western Front Way earlier in the year to honour the fallen from his old school to raise money for the Royal British Legion.

Det Con Mark Lowman said it was "so sad" the medals had been stolen "on the very day that is there to remember all those who served around the world".

He appealed to anyone with information to contact the force.

"I would also appeal to antique dealers or medal specialists; if you have been offered any of these unique and special medals, or if anybody has recently purchased a medal and you do not know where they have come from, please get in touch with us," he added.