Fifty years of memories stolen
When 97-year-old John Wagland popped down to the supermarket he didn’t realise he was about to lose 50 years of memories.
The independent old timer had forgotten to buy some groceries, hence the quick trip, but it wasn’t any elderly afflictions that stole his recollections.
It was the thief who invaded his home while he was away.
The items stolen were worthless monetarily.
Two white plastic chairs were swiped from outside, then the thief entered through John’s open door and grabbed a video tape camera and 20 to 30 video tapes in boxes next to it from his lounge.
The footage on the tapes is priceless to the retired engineer and tool maker.
‘‘It’s my history dammit. That’s disappeared. That’s what hurts.’’
Included in the footage are shots of his wife Elsie, who died 17 years ago, and his youngest son, who died of cancer 9 years ago.
Then there’s family weddings, trips and lots of christenings.
‘‘I’m blessed with great-greatgrandchildren.’’
He will never have a chance of reproducing the treasured memories, John says.
‘‘It seems a tragedy really.
‘‘I hope whoever stole that camera - I hope he realises that,’’ he says.
John’s message to the thief is to please send the tapes back.
‘‘Never mind about the camera, you’re welcome to that. Because it don’t go anyway.’’
John partly blames himself for the theft as he didn’t lock up his home before heading for his quick supermarket trip.
‘‘It’s such a simple thing to lock up isn’t it,’’ he says.
The former Englander who hailed from Hendon and served in ‘‘Dad’s Army’’ and the artillery and once spent three days and nights working with a team to design a rifle-fired hand grenade, isn’t worried about the loss of the two $8 deck chairs.
But they do have distinguishing marks on them after John lent them to his eldest son for a party.
Police advise people to lock front doors and garages when not in use, especially when gardening or elsewhere within the house.
If anyone has information about the burglary, or any other crime, they can contact Sergeant Kylie McIvor, Rodney Prevention Team at Orewa Police Station on 426 4555 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.