Appeal to find Market Harborough veteran's lost medals

John Smith lost his two war medals during a Sunday Remembrance Day service

The family of a World War Two veteran has appealed for help finding his medals which fell off during a Remembrance Day service.

John Smith, 91, lost the two war medals during the service in Market Harborough, Leicestershire, on Sunday.

His daughter Susan Lonsdale said they fell off his jacket between 10:15 and 13:45 GMT in the area of Market Hall.

She said the former merchant navy seaman "always wore them proudly" at the service every year.

Ms Lonsdale, 70, said her father, who is also known as Jack and lives in Great Bowden, was "shocked and devastated" when he got home and realised the medals were missing.

"The shock on his face when he didn't see his medals on his jacket," she added.

"He keeps thinking about what he did and where he could have dropped them.

"We've retraced our steps and searched everywhere, even the flowerbeds."

• Latest news and stories from the East Midlands

• Service rounds off Armistice commemorations

• The last deaths of World War One

Ms Lonsdale said the family would be "absolutely over the moon if we could reunite my dad with his medals".

"He would like to pass them down to his grandson and through the family," she added.

The family's appeal has been widely shared on social media.

On the BBC East Midlands Facebook page, Jane Timms wrote: "I live in Market Harborough and have been out looking for them today but no luck yet."

Dave Paul posted: "Thank you for your service sir and I hope the medals are found and safely delivered back to where they belong soon."