Senior officer Mac’s wife leads the chase to return his awards
BY STEPHEN STEWART s.stewart@dailyrecord.co.uk A NATIONWIDE hunt has been launched to find medals stolen from a Scottish war veteran.
Lieutenant Colonel Nigel “Mac” MacGregor earned numerous gongs during nearly 40 years of service in the Army, including tours of Northern Ireland, Iraq and Afghanistan.
Thieves stole eight of his medals and two Nepalese kukri knives presented to him by The Queen’s Own Gurkha Logistic Regiment.
More than 1000 people have now joined an online search to help find the former Aldershot garrison commander’s medals after the break-in at his home in the Hampshire town.
His wife Debra said: “It’s worth everything to him. It’s a set of medals from nearly 40 years’ service but they don’t care if they get 10p for them.”
The couple returned home from holiday on July 25 to find a window broken and his medals stolen.
They include a campaign service medal, awards for the Gulf War, Iraq, Afghanistan, long service and good conduct medals and bars, plus a commendation.
Debra posted an urgent appeal on social media for information that could help return the medals.
She said: “Any medals are special to any serving soldier or ex-soldier.”
Mac joined the Army in 1979, aged 15, and went on to join the infantry regiment of the King’s Own Scottish Borderers, now part of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.
He stepped down as garrison commander on June 30 and will retire from the Army next month.
Debra said the number of people sharing her plea on social media had been overwhelming, adding: “I don’t know what the latest is but it’s way over 1100.”
The medals are marked with Mac’s name, Army number, rank and regimental unit round the edges.
As well as the medals and the kukri knives, the thieves also stole an engraved fighting knife and an Iraqi freedom knife from his time working with US forces.
Police said the burglary happened between 6pm and 8.15pm on July 25 and that investigations are ongoing.
Hampshire Constabulary asked anyone with information to contact them.