Thief grabs medals as RAF veteran has nap
AN RAF veteran has told of his outrage after a sneak thief stole his medals while he was taking a nap.
Michael Salter, 76, was snoozing at his home in a sheltered retirement community for church families when the burglar stole the medals along with his RAF beret.
The haul included a replica Bomber Command medal commemorating the service of his uncle, Harry Webster, during the Second World War, who was shot down and killed as he flew home in a Lancaster bomber in 1942 aged just 23.
The raider struck on Sunday at Mr Salter’s home in Northfleet, Kent.
He said: “The door was left open as we always do, as we live in a community with a warden and where everyone looks out for each other.
“The police came on Monday but didn’t take any fingerprints. They think whoever took them just saw them, walked in and swiped them.
“I’m more angry than anything. I don’t know why anyone would bother.
“They’re not of any value to anyone but me. Why anyone would take beret is beyond me.”
The father-of-three, who served from 1960 to 1965, said both his father and his wife Margaret were also in the RAF.
“I didn’t call the police until the following morning when I had looked everywhere,” Mr Salter said.
“I was furious by that point. Knowing we were safe was a massive part of our daily lives. Margaret is really worried.”
Their son Steve described offender as “thieving scum”.
He added: “These things are irreplaceable and hold massive sentimental value to my family.”
Ted Goodyer, chaplain of Huggens College, the sheltered properties where the Salters live, is hoping there may be an innocent explanation for the disappearance of the medals.
He said: “We are hoping that they will surface and that they have been put aside in some way.”
Kent Police are investigating. a the